This historic metropolis in western India was the venue for a girls’s ODI sequence when an Australian aspect got here thirsting for revenge.
Within the semifinal of the 2017 World Cup at Derby, the Aussies had been surprised by India — by an unbelievable knock by Harmanpreet Kaur, to be extra exact. That innings, 171 not out off 115 balls, would show a turning level for the ladies’s sport in India.
Many followers within the nation found that girls additionally performed this wonderful sport. That was evident within the big turnouts for the ODI sequence on the Reliance Cricket Stadium right here practically seven years in the past. One recollects the complete home that got here to observe Mithali Raj’s girls in blue taking over Meg Lanning’s mighty Australia.
Lanning is again within the metropolis. As are a few of her teammates from that sequence, resembling Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner and Jess Jonassen.
They’re all right here for one of many world’s quickest rising leagues — the Ladies’s Premier League, the third version of which kicks off on Friday. However they are going to showcase their abilities at a brand new venue. The BCA Stadium, the place India had hosted the West Indies in a girls’s ODI sequence a few months in the past, is a kind of wonderful trendy cricket grounds in India.
Over the subsequent week, this stadium, about 25 km away from the town, ought to witness some fascinating cricket, with lots of the planet’s largest stars turning out for the 5 franchises. Within the opening match, the defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru takes on Gujarat Giants, which is enjoying at house for the primary time.
After the Vadodara leg, the league will transfer to Bengaluru, Lucknow after which Mumbai, the place the ultimate will likely be performed on March 15. It needs to be attention-grabbing to be careful not only for some nice cricket, however a number of stars to emerge as properly.
Printed – February 13, 2025 09:58 pm IST
