Former Indian women cricket team captain Shantha Rangaswamy does not see BCCI’s decision of withdrawing the women’s team from a tri-series in England as a case of neglect. She further added that the Indian cricket board’s commitment should not be judged in today’s condition.
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Not a case of neglect
BCCI decided to not send an Indian women cricket team for the tri-series involving England and South Africa. This did not go with a lot as the board is planning to host IPL 2020 in UAE during September-November. Even the exhibition games of the women players during the Indian Premier League are uncertain this time. No wonder people raised eyebrows and questioned BCCI’s intention. ICC’s women’s World Cup is scheduled for February-March 2021 and the Indian women team may not get enough practice before the same in New Zealand.
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While BCCI attracted a huge criticism for such ‘biased’ call, Shantha Rangaswamy has a different opinion. She said, “It is not a case of neglect. You need at least six weeks to be match fit and with the COVID-19 affecting most part of the country, is it possible to organise a training camp right away? Then you would also have 14-day quarantine England.” She added, “There was just not enough time to make it happen. COVID-19 has hurt world cricket, more so women’s cricket. We have gone back a couple of years after a record attendance for the T20 World Cup final at MCG in March. It is sad and an anti-climax.”
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She opined on BCCI’s intent saying, “The post-COVID-19 scenario will be a testimony to their commitment on women’s cricket. People doubting BCCI’s intentions will have to wait for things to be normal before passing their judgement. The situation was not in their control on this occasion.”
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Nature’s conspiracy
The women’s exhibition games of the Indian Premier League are generally played during the playoffs. But this time the dates are clashing with Women’s Big Bask League 2020 which makes the future of the same in uncertain as well. “It looks like even nature is conspiring against women’s cricket. Last year, a third team was added to the IPL Women’s Challenge, this year it was supposed to be four. Now, the shift of venue, more importantly, it is clashing with the Women’s Big Bash, which was already scheduled. Let’s see what the IPL Governing Council decides.”
However, “Going to England was more important than the IPL exhibition games. England tour would have been ideal preparation for the World Cup”, according to former Indian cricket captain.
