Harmanpreet, Taniya ready for IPL T20 exhibition match

Mumbai, May 21 

Stage is set for a historical IPL exhibition match between Trailblazers led by Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur's Supernova at the Wankhede Stadium here tomorrow and players believe it would be a stepping stone for the launch of a women's T20 league in the country. Wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia will also play from Supernova. 

Dashing batter Harmanpreet Kaur feels that the players were waiting for this kind of a match since a long time.   "We are very excited and were waiting since a long time when we could play an IPL like tournament. We are happy that we have got an opportunity tomorrow and hopefully we will get a good match tomorrow." 

Asked whether India has players that could make up four teams for Women's IPL, Kaur answered positively saying, "Yes I do think." "We have 20 girls who are representing India - be it T20, 50 over apart from it there is India A team. We do have 30-35 girls. Everything else depends on tomorrow's match and how we get response from the public. And if there is good response, BCCI is very keen to form such a T20 tournament from next year. "Earlier there were not many players. But last two years we have got tournaments and BCCI has organized camps, so now there 30-35 girls who can strictly focus on the League, it is starting tomorrow and in the years to come we can get a good tournament," she explained.

Leading women players like Kiwi Suzie Bates, Aussies Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt and England's Danielle Wyatt will be part of the game which will take place before the Qualifier 1 between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. "It is very exciting for all of us to be playing this exhibition match and thankful to BCCI for organising such a unique match and it is a stepping show to the IPL. And hopefully, we will put up a good show and audience and BCCI people will think of having a IPL," Mandhana told reporters.

"Everyone wants to put up a good show and bring women's cricket to the world. This is the first-ever match we will be playing with foreign players on Indian soil. Everyone is excited to part of this historical moment. We can express ourselves in front of audience and BCCI that IPL will be good to watch also.” she added.  — PTI