Women’s cricket set to turn new chapter
Women’s cricket is set to turn a new chapter with an IPL-style T20 Challenge match between Trailblazers and Supernovas here on Tuesday. Smriti Mandhana will lead Trailblazers, while Harmanpreet Kaur will be at the helm of Supernovas. The match will be held before the Qualifier 1 between CSK and SRH at the Wankhede Stadium. Prominent names such as New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, Australia’s Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt and England’s Danielle Wyatt will be seen in action. Smriti said she was excited to be part of the historic occasion. “This is the first-ever match we will be playing with foreign players on Indian soil. We all are looking forward to put up a good show so that we can express ourselves in front of audience and BCCI that IPL will be good to watch also,” said Smriti.
The exhibition match is considered a testing ground for women’s IPL. Smriti said it can take off with four teams.
“Four to five teams, to start with is a good initiative, because when men’s IPL started, first two seasons only foreigners scored and later on we started developing our benchstrength, you never know that same can happen with women’s cricket,” she added.
Harmanpreet echoed Smriti’s views. “We have enough players for a fiveteam IPL,” she added.
When asked about the match starting at 2 pm, Harmanpreet said she was hopeful that supporters would turn up in large numbers. “I hope fans will come and support us.” On Star Sports 1 & HD1