While the applause pours in, it is pertinent to understand that there is still a long way to go for women’s cricket in India to be on par with the structure in other countries, say England or Australia.
There was a hope that 2017 will do to Indian women’s team what 1983 did to men’s cricket in the country. Though, Mithali Raj did not get to lift the Women’s World Cup (WWC), she and her girls have done enough in the tournament to ensure that there will be no looking back from here.
Despite losing to England in the WWC final on Sunday, India players will be deservedly rewarded, promoted and celebrated. However, what will matter more is that the win will change the way women’s cricket is perceived and followed in India.
Unlike previous WWC, when there was hardly any buzz around them, the Women in Blue have become household names in the last one month. Their flamboyant brand of cricket has found admirers and has elicited accolades from the prime minister to array of film stars and other celebrities.
While the applause pours in, it is pertinent to understand that there is still a long way to go for women’s cricket in India to be on par with the structure in other countries, say England or Australia.
Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi, while complimenting India’s performance in this WWC, told DNA: “Just entering the World Cup final means a lot. This is a moment women’s cricket has been waiting for a long, long time.”
Bedi hoped to see more cricket at the grassroots for girls. “There has to be inter-school, inter-varsity matches. You cannot talk about only the top level. In Australia and England, women’s cricket is pretty organised. We don’t have any competition at the grassroots level. That is where they have to invest. Women deserve opportunity, they deserve competition,” Bedi said.
Legendary cricketer and ex-India captain Shantha Rangaswamy had a three-point wishlist for women’s cricket.
“I don’t know what this World Cup final will do to women’s cricket in the country. My wish list includes BCCI should start under-16 tournament in all zones. Today, only south is conducting it. We need more competitions at the grassroots level. The inter-state competitions are not happening. That has to be started. Thirdly, they need to start inter-varsity tourneys also,” said Rangaswamy.
“The inter-university matches used to be of high standards in the 1970s and 1980s. But somewhere, it has frittered away. The BCCI should give a separate slot in the calendar to ensure all eligible players go and play there.
Unless these are things are done, our base will not increase,” she added.
Former India medium-pacer and 1983 World Cup finalist, Balwinder Singh Sandhu has been a supporter of women’s cricket over the years, helping them at the National Cricket Academy at the invitation of coach Sudha Shah.
“Just reaching the final is a turning point in women’s cricket, just like our 1983 men’s team did. This will have a huge impact on women’s cricket. Also, sponsors will be coming forward to support them,” Sandhu said.
Sandhu added that infrastructure is there and the same could be extended to women’s cricket.
“Things will start improving at the schools level, but you need to have the numbers. How many schools play cricket? A lot of improvement is required at the grassroots level.”
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