Jhulan Goswami advocates for franchise leagues over bilateral series in women’s cricket

Former Indian fast bowler Jhulan Goswami has voiced strong support for the rise of franchise leagues in women’s cricket. She believes that T20 leagues should take precedence over traditional bilateral series to ensure the sport’s growth and success.

Emphasis on T20 Leagues

• Perspective: Goswami argues that franchise cricket is crucial for the future of women’s cricket. She feels that prioritizing T20 leagues over bilateral series will help the sport thrive.
• Current Involvement: Goswami has been actively involved in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as a bowling coach and mentor. She will also join the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).

The Clash of Schedules

• Challenge: Goswami highlighted the scheduling conflicts between T20 leagues and international fixtures. She views these clashes as a sign of women’s cricket’s increasing professionalization but stresses the need for better management.
• Recommendation: To avoid losing quality players due to schedule overlaps, Goswami suggests that dedicated windows be created for franchise leagues, with international series scheduled around these periods.

Club vs Country Debate

• Increasing Tension: The debate over prioritizing club commitments over national duties has intensified. Top players, including Australia’s Meg Lanning and India’s Smriti Mandhana, have had to balance their participation in various leagues and international tours.
• Recent Examples: Conflicts like England’s tour of New Zealand overlapping with the WPL have forced players to choose between international duty and franchise commitments.

Development of Talent

• Role of Leagues: Goswami pointed out that franchise leagues have been instrumental in developing new talent. She noted the impact of leagues such as the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), the Hundred, and the WPL in nurturing quality cricketers.
• Future Vision: She believes that by prioritizing franchise leagues, women’s cricket will benefit from enhanced talent and competition.

Upcoming Busy Calendar

• 2024 Schedule: The remainder of 2024 is packed with major events, including the Women’s Hundred, WCPL, and the T20 World Cup. This busy schedule will overlap with home seasons for several national teams.