Women’s Red-Ball Cricket Makes Long-Awaited Return to Indian Domestic Calendar

Mumbai: After a four-year hiatus, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the much-anticipated return of women’s red-ball cricket to the domestic calendar. The Senior Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy, kicking off on March 28th in Pune, marks a significant step towards nurturing the next generation of Test cricketers.

This development follows the Indian women’s national team’s recent resurgence in Test cricket, having played against both Australia and England. The last domestic red-ball tournament for women was held in 2018.

Former Indian pacer, Amita Sharma, lauded the decision, emphasizing the importance of nurturing talent at the domestic level. She expressed her desire for red-ball cricket to not only return at the zonal level but also at the state level, reminiscent of earlier times.

Hosted by the Maharashtra Cricket Association, the tournament will feature six teams representing different zones across the country. Each team will compete in a series of five matches, spanning three days each, providing an extended platform for players compared to the previous two-day format in 2018.

The tournament is strategically scheduled to commence immediately after the conclusion of the Women’s Premier League on March 17. The action-packed event will kick off with quarterfinal clashes on March 28, leading up to the semifinals on April 3 and the final showdown on April 9.