Whether it's football, cricket or any other sport, gender bias and discrimination has been a common denominator over the years. While male athletes often hog the limelight, their female counterparts are generally exposed to limited fanfare. And, if that's not enough, the disparity in the wages of men and women in sports pretty much sums up the debate. 

In the present-day scenario, the situation might not be as bad as it was a decade ago, but there is still a lot to do in order to bridge the gap between men and women in sports. In cricket, that's exactly what the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is aiming for with their new venture - Women's T20 Challenge - aimed for the betterment of women's cricket in the country.

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While the men continue to capture the imagination of fans with the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), the women cricketers, now, have a much-needed opportunity to make a mark in what has long been considered a gentleman's game. 

If the historical move by the BCCI bolstered women's cricket, a special message from none other than Team India captain Virat Kohli for the two skippers - Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur - added teeth to the upcoming cricket encounter. Kohli recorded a video message which was shared on Instagram.

A message from #TeamIndia Skipper @virat.kohli for @smriti_mandhana and @imharmanpreet_kaur as they gear up for the Women's T20 Challenge tomorrow. #IPLWomen #Supernovas #Trailblazers

A post shared by IPL (@iplt20) on May 21, 2018 at 6:10am PDT

"Hello everyone! I'm really excited to know that a T20 league for women has been announced and there is going to be a game on 22nd May at the Wankhede stadium. It's more like a teaser or a trailer for that particular league. Smriti (Mandhana) and Harmanpreet (Kaur) are going to lead their respective teams so I wish you all the best.

Take out your teams to the park and play with the passion you've shown for the nation. And, show people what they should look forward to when they come and watch the women's T20 league. I wish you guys all the best and we'll all be watching keenly. Goodluck," he said in the heartfelt video.

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The historical exhibition match between Trailblazers - led by Smriti Mandhana - and Supernovas - captained by Harmanpreet Kaur - will be the stepping stone for the launch of the first-ever women's T20 league in India.

Leading women players like Kiwi Suzie Bates, Aussies Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt and England's Danielle Wyatt will be part of the game which will take place before the IPL Qualifier 1 between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

IPL Trailblazers: Smriti Mandhana (c), Alyssa Healy (wk), Suzie Bates, Deepti Sharma, Beth Mooney, Jemimah Rodrigues, Danielle Hazell, Shikha Pandey, Lea Tahuhu, Jhulan Goswami, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav, Dayalan Hemalatha.

IPL Supernova: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Danielle Wyatt, Mithali Raj, Meg Lanning, Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Veda Krishnamurthy, Mona Meshram, Pooja Vastrakar, Megan Schutt, Rajseshwari Gayakwad, Anuja Patil, Taniya Bhatia (wk).