The T20 franchise race behind the IPL

Nikesh Rughani, Jim Maxwell and Sunil Gupta discuss the race to be the second biggest franchise tournament behind the Indian Premier League. SA20 commissioner and former South Africa captain Graeme Smith says they 'want to be the biggest league outside the IPL'. Yet with Australia's Big Bash looking for private investment and Indian owners taking majority shares in some Hundred teams, which franchise league can say it's legitimately the most appealing for the world's best cricketers?We continue our build-up to the Women's World Cup with Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty. She tells our reporter Charlotte Swift that the team enjoys being the underdog and can build on their first 50 over World Cup appearance three years ago. Plus, we debate squad selections and omissions for both India's men and women as they prepare for the Asia Cup and World Cup respectively.Photo: South Africa & Australia Training - ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Former South Africa cricketer Graeme Smith pictured ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 08, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)