Women's T20 Challenge 2021 likely to be postponed due to surge in COVID-19 cases

The Women’s T20 Challenge for 2021 is unlikely to see the light of the day and is set to be postponed, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo and Sportstar. The three-team exhibition games were expected to be played in Delhi during the men’s IPL playoffs, but owing to the high rise in COVID cases, it is likely to be pushed back this season.



It’s unlikely that Australia and England players will get the nod, given that Australia has suspended all passenger flights from India, while the UK has put India on the ‘red list’ of countries. There’s lack of clarity over South African players’ participation owing to the issues in the board’s administration. The BCCI is yet to make an official announcement in this matter.



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Last year, 12 international players took part in the four-match tournament in Sharjah, with players from England, Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh and Thailand’s Nattakan Chantham present. The Smriti Mandhana-led Trailblazers won the title, beating Harmanpreet Kaur-led Supernovas.



The first edition of the tournament was played in 2018, with Trailblazers and Supernovas as the teams. A third team, Velocity, was added in 2019 and the sides played one match against each other before the final. Mithali Raj captained Velocity in the last two years.