Women’s IPL: Punam Raut wants six-team WIPL – For the last few years, voices have steadily grown in favour of a women’s IPL. India batter Punam Raut has also joined the bandwagon and she wants BCCI to expand the current Women’s IPL to six teams so that it can offer a platform to the upcoming stars and also help players make a comeback to the national team.
“Obviously, when we get opportunities to play with international players it increases the excitement of players to play the game and improve further in the game. Only 15-20 get a chance to play for India but there are talented players who can compete at the international level. There can be two teams in Indian Railways itself such is the talent here, but since in India only 20 or 15 can play many talented cricketers miss out on chances,” Punam Raut told ANI.
Punam Raut’s message to BCCI, ‘Need six-team women’s IPL to recognise Indian talent’
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The IPL has been hit amongst youngsters who have made a name for themselves. The likes of Harshal Patel and Ruturaj Gaikwad would be prime examples. Furthermore, Chetan Sakariya, Avesh Khan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan have all come through the ranks of IPL.
Punam Raut, who has played 35 T20Is and 73 ODIs for India, said that rubbing shoulders with international stars will help women cricketers get the necessary exposure like their male colleagues.
Women’s IPL: Punam Raut’s message to BCCI, ‘Need six-team women’s IPL to recognise Indian talent’
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“If players get to play in a women’s IPL and moreover the games get telecasted, it further increases the chances of players getting the recognition. Women’s IPL will also help players who want to make a comeback in the squad, like in men’s IPL there are many players who didn’t play Ranji cricket but made into the Indian squad of the back off good performances in IPL,” Punam said.
But to achieve that, the current model of three-team Women’s T20 Challenge won’t be enough according to her. Instead, Punam Raut said BCCI should increase it to six teams.
“I am not talking about three teams, I feel there should be at least six teams in the women’s IPL so that more and more players could get the opportunities through games,” Punam Raut said.
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