The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled plans to reintroduce women’s red-ball cricket to India’s domestic calendar after a four-year hiatus. Set to commence on March 28 in Pune, the Senior Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy marks the return of this format, coinciding with the resurgence of the Indian women’s team in Test cricket.
The decision reflects the growing significance of nurturing talent at the grassroots level, aligning with the national team’s renewed focus on Test matches. Former Indian pacer, Amita Sharma, hailed the initiative as a crucial step in fostering the development of young cricketers. She emphasized the importance of extending red-ball cricket to the state level, echoing sentiments for broader participation across the country.
Hosted by the Maharashtra Cricket Association, the tournament will feature six teams representing different zones: East, West, North, South, Central, and North-East. Throughout five matches, spanning three days each, teams will vie for supremacy, with the format expanded from two days to accommodate a more comprehensive competition.
Scheduled to kick off immediately after the conclusion of the ongoing Women’s Premier League on March 17, the tournament promises an intense showdown. The quarterfinals are slated for March 28, featuring matchups between East Zone and North-East Zone, as well as West Zone and Central Zone. Semifinals are set for April 3, adding to the anticipation surrounding this long-awaited return of women’s red-ball cricket at the domestic level.
