The Mumbai Cricket Association recently introduced a franchise-based T20 League for women cricketers. The tournament might be a game-changer for Women cricketers in Mumbai who don’t get enough playing opportunities in an already competitive environment. Rohit Sharma unveiled the trophies for both men’s and women’s tournaments on Saturday, the 14th of March, in Mumbai. The tournament will start after the IPL ends. The men’s tournament will witness eight teams :
1)Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs (World Star Premier League LLP)
2)ARCS Andheri (ARCS Sports & Entertainment Pvt Ltd)
3)Bandra Blasters (PK Sports Ventures Pvt Ltd)
4)Eagle Thane Strikers (Eagle Infra India Ltd)
5)North Mumbai Panthers (Horizons Sports India Pvt Ltd)
6)Triumph Knights Mumbai North East (Transcon Triumph Knights Pvt Ltd)
7)Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals (Royal Edge Sports & Entertainment)
8)SoBo Mumbai Falcons (Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd)
The women’s tournament will feature teams owned by Roadway Solution India Infra Ltd, World Star Sporting Pvt Ltd and PRS Infra Projects Pvt Ltd.
The event witnessed the presence of Indian women’s team player Sayali Satghare, MCA President Ajinkya Naik, Chairman of League Governing Council Rajdip Gupta, Former MCA President and Cabinet minister Ashish Shelar and also members of the League Governing Council alongside team owners. Rohit Sharma stated that the tournament provided a platform to some of the finest talents to showcase their skills, helping them get a chance to play in the IPL and also the Indian team.
He further stated that he was happy to see Mumbai cricket progress and congratulated the MCA for making it successful. He stated that a women’s league will provide women cricketers to showcase their skills. Sayali Satghare also congratulated the MCA, stating that the women’s league would provide a platform to the upcoming women cricketers of Mumbai to showcase their talent and play for Mumbai as well as for the national team.
Ajinkya Naik stated that the T20 Mumbai League provides a foundation to talented players to highlight their talent, and with women's cricket witnessing steady progress, the women’s league will provide chances to the upcoming women cricketers to underline their skills and progress to the next level.
Ashish Shelar also congratulated the MCA and the franchises for the launch of this tournament and stated that in 2018, they had thought to come up with an idea for a T20 Mumbai League that would provide a platform to the next generation of cricketers from Mumbai to shine and progress at the next level. He stated that the women’s league will provide a boost to Mumbai’s women cricketers. Chairman of the Governing Council, Rajdip Gupta, added that the T20 Mumbai League highlights that there is no shortage of talent in Mumbai.
He further stated that the inauguration of the Women’s League will help in identifying the upcoming talents and hone their skills. Ever since its introduction in 2018, the League has played a crucial role in refining the cricketing skills of budding cricketers who have gone on to represent the national team.
