NEW DELHI: The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has decided to start its own franchise based T20 league for both men and women. TOI has learnt that the DDCA apex council met on Monday and approved the league to be started from August.
DDCA had sought permission from the Indian cricket board (BCCI) to organize the league. The approval came a week ago. DDCA president Rohan Jaitley confirmed the development. “We are going ahead with the league. The modalities are being worked out. But the aim is to start the league by the end of Aug and finish it before Sept 15 so that it leaves enough time to prepare for the BCCI’s domestic season,” Jaitley told TOI on Tuesday.
“We have decided to organize the women’s league because it doesn’t make any sense to just have the men’s league. Women’s cricket in India is taking off and such leagues can only bolster their growth as cricketers. We successfully hosted the WPL here this year. It’s the right time to roll out the women’s league this year,” Jaitley said.
“The local Delhi players—men and women—will get access to good competitive cricket and it will help create a professional ecosystem in Delhi cricket. This is the only window to have white-ball cricket in Delhi. We are looking at six men’s teams and at least four women’s teams for the league,” Jaitley added.
The DDCA is in the process of finalizing the structure of the league and getting interested investors to buy franchises. The league is likely to be broadcast just like the T20 leagues in other states. As of now, the Arun Jaitley Stadium is the only venue where the production facilities and floodlights are available.
The association is looking for the other venues around the Capital to stage the tournament. The Karnail Singh Stadium, Jamia Milia Islamia stadium and Yamuna Sports complex are the other probable venues.
