![BCB explores Indian participation in Women's BPL [Source: wplt20/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772083657617_JemimahRodriguesSmritiMandhanaWPL.jpg?type=hq)
BCB explores Indian participation in Women's BPL [Source: wplt20/X.com]
The Bangladesh Cricket Board is back in the headlines as they are set to host the inaugural season of the Women's BPL league. They could be seen exploring the participation of the Indian stars just a month after their strained relationship with the BCCI over the Mustafizur Rahman-KKR and ICC Men's T20 World Cup saga.
With the likes of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues regularly featuring in overseas T20 leagues around the world, the BCB Women's Wing chair expressed her openness regarding their qualification in WBPL. The tournament is scheduled to be played in the summer ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in June.
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BCB welcomes Smriti Mandhana and co. for inaugural WBPL season
The three-team Women's Bangladesh Premier League is set to be played from April 4 to April 14 after previously failed attempts to launch the tournament. Ahead of this move, BCB have already conducted 12 seasons of the men's version of the tournament, where Indian stars are not allowed to participate.
However, WPL winners and finalists, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, etc., find themselves in a position where they are not exclusive to the WPL like the men. With the possibility of bringing in the World Champions and the traction to the league, Rubada Dowla said they are open to roping in players from any nationality to the competition.
"Several international players have already shown interest. The teams will then contact the players and finalise recruitment. There are some well-known star players who have expressed interest. We are open to all — there is no country-specific restriction. Whoever shows interest, and whichever teams want to bring such players, they can do so, said Rubada Dowla.
Will BCCI allow Indian women's participation in WBPL?
Ahead of the start of the Indian league (WPL), the female stars from the team were allowed to play in overseas leagues to get themselves accustomed to conditions around the world and improve their games.
All prominent stars, i.e., Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur have been a part of the WBBL, The Hundred Women's Tournament, while some have also played in the WCPL.
However, considering the strained geopolitical relations and a well-established Indian tournament in place, it remains to be seen if the BCCI allows their participation in Bangladesh. Additionally, the Indian Women are not scheduled to play any international cricket during the April 4 to 14 window, which makes it interesting to see how the board deals with the situation.
The closest assignment to the tournament for India Women will be from April 17 against South Africa, as they play 5 T20Is in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
BCB attempts to improve relations with BCCI with WBPL
As things stand, Bangladesh's refusal to visit India for the Men's T20 World Cup has created a lot of stir in the cricketing fraternity. Many fans, media and also some Bangladesh players have looked unhappy with the board's stance on the issue, considering the opportunities and money IPL and BCCI could bring to them.
BCCI remains an undisputed powerhouse in world cricket, and hence, BCB approaching India Women players for WBPL could be a strategic move to get things back to normalcy with BCCI. They have also unilaterally announced the India tour of Bangladesh later in 2026, and to bring that to fruition, WBPL could play a role.
While the chairperson has welcomed Indians to the league, none of the stars like Kaur, Mandhana or Rodrigues has yet spoken on the matter. Currently, their focus remains on the ongoing all-format tour of Australia.
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