Years ago, a girl from Rohtak, Haryana, showed profound interest in Cricket. Unfortunately, her interest was not encouraged as girls were not favoured for outdoor games in those days. Neither did a coaching academy for girls exist. Hence, this girl cut her hair short to get training with the boys.

This girl is Shafali Verma, the opening batter from our Indian Women’s cricket team. She has become the youngest cricketer to complete 1000 runs in T20 internationals at 18. She also hails the glory of captaining the under-19 cricket team, which won the ICC under-19 World Cup in 2023.

Have you imagined what would be her career today if she had not revolted against society for her love for the game of cricket?

Cricket is also like a religion in India, where the fans exhibit extreme love and passion for this game irrespective of their differences. I won’t be wrong to say that cricket unites our country. Alas, when it comes to women playing this game, the scenario is different.

Let’s go a bit deeper regarding Women’s cricket in India.

A Brief History

The Women’s Cricket Association Of India (WCAI) was established in 1973 in India. The first Women’s Interstate Nationals were played in April 1973 in Pune, where only three teams participated – Mumbai, Maharashtra, and UP. Eventually, all the states participated in the subsequent championships.

Currently, the format involves an inter-state tournament in each zone, with the winners and runners-up qualifying for the Nationals. This includes matches like the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal T20 Trophy and the Senior Women’s One-day Trophy.

The Indian women’s cricket team played their first Test match in 1976 against the West Indies. Since then, the journey has been filled with ups and downs, but the spirit of the sport has never waned.

The Struggles

Despite the growing popularity of the sport, women’s cricket in India has faced numerous challenges. Lack of infrastructure, inadequate training facilities, and societal prejudices have often hindered the sport’s growth. The players had to make their arrangements for the travel and stay during tournaments.

However, the biggest struggle has been the fight for recognition and equal opportunities. For many years, women cricketers were not given the same attention or resources as their male counterparts. But times are changing, and the recent successes of the Indian women’s cricket team have started to turn the tide.

The WCAI was unified into the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2007. The BCCI had a separate grading system for the men and women cricketers. On October 27, 2022, the BCCI announced that they would implement a pay equity policy for their contracted cricketers. This means equal match fees for the male and female contract cricketers.

Inspiring the Next Generation

The prestigious Arjuna Award is awarded to Shantha Rangaswami, Diana Edulji, Shubhangi Kulkarni, Sandhya Agarwal, Mithali Raj, Anju Jain, Anjum Chopra, Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Poonam Yadav and Deepti Sharma. The success stories of these stars have not only put women’s cricket on the global map but also inspired countless young girls across India.

They have shown that cricket is not just a man’s game and that with hard work and determination, anyone can reach the top. Their journey serves as a ray of hope for many young girls who aspire to make a career in cricket.

India debuted in the World Cup in 1978. They have not yet won a World Cup; they have reached the finals in 2005, 2017, and 2023 under the captaincy of Mithali Raj in 2005 and 2017 and Harmanpreet Kaur in 2023.

It’s impressive that The Women in Blue have won seven Asia cups out of eight played. Cricket was included in the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 2022, and our ladies won the silver in the Women’s T20 competition.

A Message to Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians play a crucial role in shaping a child’s future. It is essential to understand that every child has unique interests and talents. If your daughter shows an interest in cricket, encourage her. Do not let societal norms and prejudices limit her dreams. Provide her with the necessary support and resources.

The scenario today is different from fifteen years back. Numerous resources and facilities are available for girls who aspire to pursue cricket.

Following are some well-known cricket academies for women: Karnataka Institute of Cricket, Female Cricket Academy in Mumbai, Aryan Cricket Academy in Jaipur, GS Harry Cricket Academy in Delhi, Kerala Cricket Association, Twenty2yards Academy in Pune and Mehsana Cricket Academy in Gujarat.

Many schools and colleges nationwide nurture their talents and regularly participate in inter-school and inter-college tournaments.

Being a parent or guardian, if you are worried about career opportunities, let me inform you there are numerous opportunities on the field and off the field: Professional Cricketer, Cricket Coach, Cricket Umpire, Cricket Analyst, Cricket Commentator, and Cricket Journalist.

The Future of Women’s Cricket in India

The future of women’s cricket in India looks promising. With increasing support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), improved infrastructure, and growing interest among the youth, the sport is set to reach new heights.

The recent performances of the Indian women’s cricket team on the international stage have already shown what is possible with the proper support and opportunities.

The onset of the Women’s Premiere League (WPL) has opened more doors and proven more enthusiasm towards the sport. Young players have obtained a perfect platform to showcase and improve their talents.

The rich learning experience from the overseas players and coaches is promising. The financial assistance the new and uncapped players received gave them a boost to explore their capabilities.

Conclusion

Women’s cricket in India has come a long way. From its humble beginnings in the 1970s to the world stage today, the journey has been inspirational. The struggles faced and the victories achieved testify to the indomitable spirit of Indian women cricketers.

More than just players, they are trailblazers, paving the way for future generations.

So, to every young girl who dreams of becoming the next Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, or Smriti Mandhana, the passion is yours; paint your path and chase your dreams.

Whether you are aiming for a sixer or perfecting your fast bowl in the nets, remember this: every boundary you cross, every wicket you take, and every catch you make is a step forward not just for you but for every girl who dreams of holding the bat, of spinning the ball, and of standing tall on the cricket field!

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