Mithali Raj put an end to the debate on whether the BCCI should start an IPL-style league for women, saying the time was not ripe for it.
“I think it’s important to have a pool of quality players who will be qualified to play the IPL kind of league. India-A itself needs quality players. Once we have enough players, it would be wise enough to think about it. There is a big difference between an international player and a domestic player. Presently, it (league) may go against promoting women’s cricket,” she said here on Tuesday.
The skipper felt that the India-A team will take time to build. “We have just started forming the India-A team. It will take a couple of years to get the second string in place. There are some young and talented players, but they need to be given exposure. I am sure in a year or two we will have a better second-string side. We need to invest in young players like Jemimah Rodrigues, Tanya Bhatia and Pooja Vastrakar.”
About the contract given to 19 women cricketers, Mithali said: “It is a great decision by the BCCI. When you have the contract in place, players tend to invest more in the game. They would know that they would be paid for their best performances and would keep their fitness levels high.
“It also means that each time you step on the ground you are expected to be a professional. There are a lot of players who come from the interiors of India and are financially not very sound. With the contract system in place, every cricketer can hope to play for India and become financially secure.”
Jhulan Goswami, while agreeing with Mithali on a number of topics, said she had recovered well from a foot injury and is ready for the T20 triangular featuring Australia, England and India.