Lukewarm response for women’s T20 challenge

Mumbai, May 22: The much- hyped women’s exhibition T20 match had an exciting finish but failed to attract sizeable crowd on a sultry Tuesday afternoon despite the presence of the world’s top women cricketers. While a women’s IPL is a novel idea, the response at ground zero was a testimony that BCCI still has some way to go before the idea takes a final shape.

The lukewarm response was largely due to timing of the match as Mumbaikars decided to conserve their energies for the 7pm cracker. Also, the BCCI diluted the concept, allowing all players from either side to take part in the match.

A women’s IPL can only be a reality if the timings are suitable for spectators and may be taken to Tier- 2 cities where response would be much more than metros which have their own IPL teams.

The likes of Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Sophie Devine showed utmost professionalism in adverse weather conditions.

The catch that Perry took to dismiss Jemimah Rodrigues during the n o - n o n s e n s e approach for the Karthik- led side.

To make it easier for them, Kolkata are the only team from the four qualifiers to get the home advantage in the Eliminator.

The winners of the match will face the loser of Qualifier 1 between Sunrisers and Chennai Super Kings in the second Qualifier — also to be held at Kolkata — which will decide the second entrant of the final.

Champions of the inaugural edition in 2008, Rajasthan, on the other Dinesh