From a nondescript and struggling entity, the Indian women’s cricketing journey stands today as one of the most influential sporting metamorphoses in the country.
What started on deserted practice sessions in the 1970s has grown into a professional, commercially-valued, and globally-recognized sporting ecosystem.
India’s women first played an international Test against the West Indies in 1976, three years after the establishment of the women’s cricket association of India in 1973. With limited facilities and minimal public interest, early pioneers formed a base for what has today emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing sports movements.
THE PIONEERING ONES WHO STARTED WITHOUT SUPPORT :
The biggest names in the early years included former captain Shantha Rangaswamy, spin legend Shubhangi Kulkarni and bowler Diana Edulji. There were no central contracts, minimal funding and poor infrastructure – players often travelled in unreserved train compartments and stitched their own kits.
“They played for the badge, not the bank,” said a senior cricket historian, underlining that passion sustained the sport at a time when there was no financial support.Institutional push.
THE TURNING POINT :
The most significant development came in 2006, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India assumed direct control over women’s cricket. Training facilities, travel assistance and, finally, central contracts followed.The cricket analysts believe that this administrative integration was the cornerstone for India’s rise in global competitions.
GLOBAL MILESTONES AND RISING STARS :
The women from India reached ODI World Cup finals twice: in 2005 and again in 2017. The latter edition came with a cultural breakthrough, boosting interest on television and crowd attendance. Harmanpreet Kaur’s massive 171-run knock against Australia in the 2017 semi-final remains one of the most celebrated innings in world women’s cricket.Test cricket appearances have been limited, but India’s performances in T20 cricket, including reaching the 2020 T20 World Cup final at Melbourne Cricket Ground, strengthened global recognition.
Mithali Raj, considered the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s ODIs, retired in 2022, while fast-bowler Jhulan Goswami finished her career as one of the world’s leading wicket-takers. Now, the names that come forward as the new generation of athletes at the global level are those of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and Renuka Singh.
The year 2023 turned out to be the watershed, with high-value contracts, packed stadiums and mainstream viewership marking the beginning of the Women’s Premier League in India. Franchises, brand deals and youth enrolment in cricket academies have surged ever since.Sports economists reckon the WPL will have a decisive role in building India’s bench strength, much like the men’s IPL did.
A CULTURAL SHIFT BEYOND SPORTS:
Experts say that the rise of Indian women’s cricket has resulted in social effects beyond the boundary line. With televised matches, sponsorships, and national recognition, more families are encouraging girls to pick up the game. In many cities, girls’ cricket academies report record admissions.
THE ROAD AHEAD:
But progress is being done, yet challenges remain with a reduced domestic calendar, more limited Test cricket, and the need for deeper grassroots support.From playing without match fees to commanding respect across the world, Indian women’s cricket now stands in a phase of rapid expansion.
Now, as harmanpreet we all want to say that “Now onwards cricket is everyone’s game not only gentleman’s game.”
