BCCI invites bids to operate women's IPL teams

(Reuters) - The Indian cricket board (BCCI) on Tuesday invited bids for the right to "own and operate" teams in the first ever women s Indian Premier League (IPL).

In December, the BCCI also floated tenders for the women s league s media rights for the 2023-27 cycle.

"The Governing Council of the IPL invites bids from reputed entities to acquire the right to own and operate a team in Women s Indian Premier League, through a tender process," the BCCI said in a statement.

"The (Invitation to Tender) will be available for purchase till January 21, 2023."

The inaugural season of the women s IPL is likely to be played from March 3-26, an ESPNcricInfo report said in December.

A three-team Women s T20 Challenge had been staged alongside the men s IPL since 2018, but the BCCI have been urged to set up an expanded tournament for women with more teams and players.

Australia hosts the Women s Big Bash League as its domestic T20 league, while New Zealand has the Women s Super Smash. England hold the  The Hundred  tournament for women alongside the men s competition.