Women’s team in limbo over next assignment

new delhi — The Indian women’s team may be in the midst of a felicitation spree but the country’s newest cricket stars still don’t know about their next international assignment.

Despite all the hype, there are no home or away series lined up for Mithali Raj and her team for the time being as BCCI is yet to finalise when the team plays next.

“We will be discussing the issue about upcoming international fixtures for the women’s team very soon,” acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary replied to a query after the Special General Meeting.

Skipper Mithali Raj on Thursday emphasised that the preparation for next year’s ICC Women’s World T20 should start in right earnest.

“We should start straightaway preparing for the World T20 scheduled next year,” Mithali said. Unlike the men’s team whose bilateral tour diary is choca-bloc till December 2018, the same does not apply for the women’s team despite being under the aegis of BCCI since 2006.

A BCCI official, who did not wish to officially come on record, feels that for maintaining the hype and interest, the next series must be held as soon as possible.

“Look at the men’s team. They played the Champions Trophy final and then flew to West Indies and are now playing in Sri Lanka. But there are no such plans in place for women’s team. In order to maintain the interest, at least a proper plan should be in place for next one year,” the official, who was present during the felicitation by BCCI said.

It has been learnt that Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai wants a committee to be formed that will look into the pay hike and central contracts of the women cricketers. — PTI