BCCI announces women T20 exhibition match ahead of IPL play-offs

BCCI on Saturday announced a women's T20 exhibition match ahead of the IPL play-off in Mumbai on May 22 which will feature top Indian and foreign players.

New Delhi: With the business end of IPL 2018 in progress, teams are fighting it out to secure a berth in the play-offs. Apart from Sunrisers Hyderabad (qualified) and Chennai super Kings (second placed in the league) as many as four teams are in contention looking for a place in final four.

But amid all the adventure in the men’s circuit, BCCI on Saturday announced a women's T20 exhibition match ahead of the IPL play-off in Mumbai on May 22 which will feature top Indian and foreign players.

"This is another important step in the promotion of women's cricket. I am confident that this experiment will lead to a women's IPL in the near future," CoA member and former India captain Diana Edulji told PTI.

A total of 30 players, 20 Indians and 10 foreigners, will train at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai ahead of the one-off game.

The teams will be called IPL XI and BCCI XI and the game will be broadcast live on Star Sports from 2.30 pm local time on May 22 prior to the first play-off match.

The IPL Governing Council recently approved the initiative amid calls for a women's IPL, following the Indian team's final appearance in the World Cup last year.

Like the IPL, seven Indians and four overseas players will make the playing eleven.

It has been learnt that all players will be paid match fees and a daily allowance while a business class return ticket will be provided to the overseas cricketers.

The BCCI has approached the boards from Australia, South Africa and England, and the names of the foreign players will be announced soon.

The Indian women's selection committee will name the players in the coming week.