The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) enforces a strict policy that prohibits male Indian cricketers from participating in foreign leagues. However, female cricketers face no such restrictions, allowing them to showcase their talents on the global stage. This has led to prominent Indian players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Smriti Mandhana making their mark in prestigious leagues such as the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), The Hundred, and the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).
Despite the emergence of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India, this trend of Indian women participating in foreign leagues is expected to continue. Their involvement has significantly boosted the popularity and revenue of the WBBL, with viewership soaring thanks to their presence. Moreover, the inclusion of Indian players has elevated the overall quality of the competition, as they bring not only skill but also leadership qualities to the teams.
WBBL General Manager Alistair Dobson praises contributions of Indian players
WBBL General Manager Alistair Dobson praised the contribution of Indian players, highlighting their impact on the league’s growth. He mentioned ongoing collaborations with international cricket boards to further expand the WBBL’s reach and ensure it remains accessible worldwide.
“We’re very fortunate in the WBBL that Indian players of, you know, whether that’s Harmanpreet Kaur for the (Melbourne) Renegades or others that have been in our competition and had such skill and capability and leadership. So we’re always working closely with other boards around the world about how we can grow our competition and make it as accessible as possible and that won’t stop,” Dobson said.
Dobson also noted the influence of renowned Indian commentators Harsha Bhogle and Ravi Shastri, who joined the WBBL’s broadcasting team. Their expertise and popularity in the sub-continent helped the WBBL gain traction in India. Looking ahead, the WBBL plans to involve more global commentators and leverage events like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to enhance its international presence.
“It was amazing to have those guys [Bhogle and Shastri] commentating the BBL. They bring such expertise and interest to our game and they, from all reports, they really loved what they saw. And we’re hoping to see a few global commentators out here again this summer and obviously with a big international summer ahead,” Dobson said.
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