A special women’s committee formed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, after the Indian team’s fine display in the recent ICC Women’s World Cup in England, held a brainstorming session at the Cricket Centre here on Wednesday.
The idea of forming the committee was essentially meant to give an impetus to domestic tournaments by creating opportunities in the under-16, under-19, under-23 and in the senior categories.
Key members of the Special Committee will filter all suggestions and prepare a draft document for the BCCI’s consideration.
The Committee also received suggestions from former India player and a freelance journalist Snehal Pradhan and Sidhanta Patnaik (Wisdenindia.com); both covered the women’s World Cup.
Those who attended the meeting at the Cricket Centre were Ratnakar Shetty, General Manager, Game Development, BCCI and in-charge of women’s cricket, Diana Edulji, CoA member, Rahul Johri (CEO, BCCI), Harmanpreet Kaur, Jhulan Goswami and Hemlata Kala. Mithali Raj, captain of the Indian team, and Tushar Arothe (coach of the Indian team) sent their suggestions.
One of the suggestions was to start a Twenty20 tournament in the under-23 category, which the BCCI would not find a big task to put in place. The players have also, without specifying quantum of money, have asked for an improvement in their pay structure. Presently the BCCI has awarded central contracts to 11 women players.
The qualification process for the next ICC World Cup will begin soon and the Indian team is likely to play three One-Day Internationals against South Africa and host a home series against Australia next March.