Wikipedia - Women's T20 Challenge

The Women's T20 Challenge, commonly known as WT20 Challenge, was an Indian women's Twenty20 cricket tournament that was held between 2018 and 2022. The tournament featured three teams, playing a round-robin group followed by a final. IPL Supernovas were the most successful team in the history of the tournament, with three title wins.

The tournament was replaced by a new franchise-based annual T20 tournament, the Women's Premier League, which began in 2023.

History

The idea for a women's version of the Indian Premier League was suggested after the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup, where the India women's national cricket team finished second. The tournament was first introduced in 2018, as a single match held in Mumbai prior to one of the men's matches. The match featured teams named IPL Trailblazers and IPL Supernovas. In 2019, the Women's T20 Challenge was expanded to a three team tournament instead of a one-off match, with a new team called IPL Velocity competing alongside the IPL Trailblazers and IPL Supernovas, in a round-robin format with the top two teams progressing to the final. The 2020 event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and held in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, alongside the rearranged men's IPL.

In November 2020, Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sourav Ganguly suggested an expansion of the Women's T20 Challenge to 7 or 8 teams in 2022. There were suggestions of adding a fourth team for the 2021 season, but this was decided against due to the ongoing issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 event was postponed along with the men's IPL, with no indication of a date for the women's event being played. It was not held at the same time as the rearranged men's event, as the dates clashed with India women's tour of Australia. In March 2022, the BCCI announced plans to start a women's IPL by 2023, with five or six teams in the inaugural edition. The 2022 event took place in May 2022, to coincide with the playoffs of the men's IPL.

In March 2022, BCCI announced a new franchise-based annual T20 tournament starting in 2023 to replace the Women's T20 Challenge, which was later named the Women's Premier League.

The Women's T20 Challenge is an exciting and dynamic cricket tournament that showcases the incredible talent and skill of women cricketers from India and around the world. Launched in 2018, this tournament serves as a platform to promote women's cricket and provide a competitive arena for female athletes to shine.

Typically held in conjunction with the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Women's T20 Challenge features a limited number of teams, often comprising franchises that compete in a fast-paced, high-energy format. The tournament is designed to highlight the growing popularity of women's cricket and to inspire the next generation of female cricketers.

With a mix of established stars and emerging talents, the Women's T20 Challenge captivates audiences with thrilling matches, showcasing powerful batting, strategic bowling, and exceptional fielding. The tournament not only aims to entertain fans but also to foster greater recognition and support for women's sports in India.

As the tournament progresses, teams battle it out for the coveted title, creating memorable moments and fierce rivalries. The Women's T20 Challenge is not just a celebration of cricket; it is a testament to the strength, resilience, and determination of women athletes, paving the way for a brighter future in sports.