'It is going to help the game grow' - Suzie Bates on Women's IPL

With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) planning to start a full-fledged Women's version of the IPL from next year, the New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates cited that the to-be-launched tournament will help the game prosper.

As per Bates, the Women's IPL will not only be beneficial for Indian cricket but can give new wings to the sport as a whole. 

"Yes, firstly, it will be the most important competition for Indian women's cricket, providing opportunities to the domestic players to play at that level. It is gonna create a lot of depth in the Indian women's cricket environment. Globally, just to have so many eyes on women's cricket by having an IPL is going to help the game grow," Bates said as quoted to ANI.

"Many players across the world who have played international cricket would love to participate in a full IPL competition; I think a few players are waiting for this just because of the exposure that it might give to women's cricket," she added.

Further in the interview, the all-rounder opined how the launch of the premier women-centric competition could bring financial liberty to women's cricket.

"Because that is where the money comes in for the men's game. More we are on TV; the more broadcasters put us on TV, the more will be the money coming in for the game."

With the fans demanding Women's IPL for eternity, the BCCI finally obliged as the league will finally get a shape, starting in 2023.

As the Women's T20 World Cup is slated for next year, the 34-year-old shed light on the White Ferns' preparation for the marquee event.

"Then we will have a series at home and our domestic Super Smash competition. We are gonna have a good diet of T20 cricket, which is good for us leading up to the World Cup."

The Dunedin-born also lauded the concept of the FairBreak Invitational 2022, a newly-launched league in which the world-famous women cricketers share the stage with the rising stars from ICC's associate nations.

"To bat with Chamari Athapathu, to have Danni Wyatt showing on the field show on the field how good she is, to have Heather Knight, one of the best captains in the world, leading her side, there is so much growth and learning. 

The tournament has been brilliant in terms of providing opportunities to players from anywhere who play cricket. Hope it continues, and I love being a part of it because you gotta help players reach their potential, and we have got an opportunity for that," Bates signed off.