India wakes up to its women cricketers

At the end the match, such a wonderful match, you sighed and cried. You perhaps blamed Mithali Raj for not diving or perhaps slammed Veda Krishnamurthy for playing that reckless shot, when all that was needed was a little bit of calmness. For the fact that you were soulfully involved in the game – something that many of us had never felt earlier – this women’s World Cup was a landmark edition. Despite the loss, the team have left behind a lasting legacy, and if this does not inspire the young girls of the country to pick a piece of willow, then probably nothing will. 

When it comes to pride in women’s cricket, two names that instantly popped up in the head, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, two pivots around whom Indian women’s cricket has been revolving for close to two decades. Yesterday, first up was Goswami – the unassuming bowling leader – went for only nine runs in her first five overs. When she was brought back on for her second spell, England were 133 for 3 with Natalie Sciver and Sarah Taylor smashing the Indian bowlers with absolute disdain. Goswami knew that it was her last chance and so she wasn’t in the mood to let the game slip from her fingers. What followed was a fantastic spectacle to behold as she sent three English batters packing one after another to bring India roaring back in the game. The contest was on. But with the willow, she failed to a toe-crushing yorker from Shurbsole and so was the hope of the team of making history.

Over the years, the Women in Blue have suffered a lot of struggles - travelling on unreserved berths, not getting paid match fees, and staying in places not worthy of an international athlete. Cricket was a male-dominated game and women cricketers did get a little pittance. But since the turn of the millennium, Women's cricket has undergone a watershed moment, particularly after the BCCI takeover in 2006. Elite women players now have central retainer contracts, apart from reasonable daily allowances, which has helped them focus more on their cricket and different aspects of the game like fitness and skill.

Maybe, saying the journey of Indian eves will inspire the entire nation to allow their girl child to play cricket is a tad far-fetched. But be sure that this tryst is a small but very crucial step to bring in the revolution. This small step needs to be backed up by some truly important things – a rigorous domestic competition, making sure the National team plays more games, widespread media coverage, and all the things that women cricketers deserve to get. India is no longer a male-dominated sporting country. We don’t only need to watch our women team’s performance to drive that point home. The sustained progress made by the women sportspersons in the country over last two decades has been a spectacular phenomenon and steps should be taken to ensure a bountiful future.