Women's IPL edges closer as BCCI prepares exhibition game in Mumbai

No details have been released by India's governing body but administrator Vinod Rai told AFP that his organisation are working towards a specific timeframe to get the event launched

^{A women's version of the IPL is just two or three years away}

The BCCI are planning to launch a women's verson of the Indian Premier League "in the next two to three years".

The men's version of the world's most lucrative cricket competition has been running since 2008 and regularly features some of the planet's biggest T20 stars, and it seems it won't be long for the top female players to get a tournament of their own.

No details have been released by India's governing body but administrator Vinod Rai told AFP that his organisation are working towards a specific timeframe to get the event launched.

"We are planning to get a women's IPL in place in two to three years," he said.

The fortunes of India's women's side in last year's World Cup - in which they reached the final before losing to England - has boosted the popularity and status of the female game in the country.

The success of the Women's Big Bash in Australia, which will become a stand-alone tournament away from the men's competition from the 2019-20 season, has also given organisers encouragement that the format will catch on in India.

On May 22, prior to the IPL play-off at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, an exhibition match featuring English, South African and Australian cricketers - with four overseas players on each side - will be staged, using league rules.

The game will be televised live.

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