Unforgettable BCCI decisions that shaped women’s cricket in India

Gone are the days when cricket was considered a gentleman’s game, WPL is a breakthrough moment for women’s cricket in India. This is the result of a long battle that women cricketers fought for a long time.

Reema Malhotra, WPL expert, Sports18 and JioCinema told Mint that with the launch of WPL, more families will motivate their daughters to play the game, knowing that their future can be secured. “I am sure we will also see cultural change where women cricketers will get equal respect and recognition as male cricketers. We will see a lot more girls playing in stadiums and academies and all these changes are going to shape gender inclusivity in sports, ” He said.

It is a known fact that women players are lying in the shadow of their male counterparts in the world of cricket. However, the generations led by Anjum Chopra, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami refused to break even when misogynistic comments were hurled at them.

Mahendra Kumar Sharma registered the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) under the Societies Act in 1973 in Lucknow under the chairmanship of Begum Hamida Habibullah. In the same year, the first Women’s Inter-State National Championship was held in Pune, in which three teams participated, namely Bombay, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Later the number of teams increased from three to eight. Chandra Tripathi and Pramilabai Chavan are the other two women, as well as founding secretary Sharma, who played a major role in the early development of women’s cricket.

The Woman in Blue made her ODI debut during the 1978 World Cup. In the same year, WCAI gained official recognition of the International Women’s Cricket Council (IWCC) in 1978.

Thirty-two years after the WCAI was formed, the women’s team took India to the final of the Cricket World Cup in 2005. And, in 2006, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took over the governance of women’s cricket. Since then, the cricket governing body has taken several important steps to promote gender equality and women’s participation in the Gentlemen’s Game.

“We need to appreciate the work and effort put in by BCCI. BCCI has consistently worked hard to bring cricket to the level of popularity it has in India and made a strong start with the women’s discipline.” – BCCI left Vineet Karnik, Head of Sports, Exports and Entertainment, GroupM South Asia, said that no stone is being left unturned to ensure a sustainable and promising future for women’s cricket in India.

Last year, the BCCI announced the implementation of a pay equity policy for its contracted women cricketers. India also hosted the Women’s T20 Challenge in 2022. Also, in 2025, India will host the 50-over Women’s ICC World Cup.

“Women’s game has come a long way. It is about the last 45 years how our seniors used to play cricket and then today’s generation is watching especially the U-19 players who are playing in the U-19 World Cup right now. have come out and come straight into franchise leagues, rubbing shoulders with international players. It shows the progress, the growth, the change that has happened in the women’s game,” former India women’s cricket captain Anjum Chopra told Mint .

Talking about the change from domestic training sessions to international matches, Ridhima Pathak, WPL anchor, Sports18, and JioCinema said, “In earlier days many senior players would tell you that they were playing for the love of the game and That is why whatever they paid for was from their own pocket- be it travel, stay, nutrition and more. This has now changed a lot in domestic cricket and is considered at par with men’s cricket where teams play on the same ground Can play and train where the team plays. The domestic men’s side, stay in five-star hotels and take care of their nutrition.”

Pathak said the BCCI’s decision to induct more professional coaches and staff is another major change. And, the BCCI’s approval of Harmanpreet Kaur’s demand for a sports psychologist was another landmark decision, which became an important factor in the mental strength of women playing at the international level.

Vishal Yadav, founder and CEO of women’s cricket, said that the BCCI has gradually taken steps to reduce the gender gap in cricket. For example, “attempts to increase the number of matches (inter-regional tournaments) for domestic women cricketers. It has also brought match fees earned by international women cricketers at par with their male counterparts”. “India has become the fourth country after Australia, New Zealand and England to have an equal pay policy,” Yadav said.

On the launch of the WPL, Yadav said that “in the next 3-4 years, we can see a huge change in the quality of women’s cricket happening not only in India but around the world”.

Undoubtedly, the Indian women’s cricket team has been on the rise over the past decade. In 2017, India made it to the final of the 50-over World Cup. India also reached the final of the T20 World Cup in 2020. The Indian women’s cricket team created history by winning the first ever silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. And, in January this year, India won the inaugural Under-19 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Now, Tata WPL is another feather in the cap of Indian women cricketers.

Karnik believes that Tata WPL is the next big thing that will shape the future of women’s cricket in India. Citing three reasons, Karnik said that the WPL will provide a platform for women cricketers to showcase their talent and skills and win over a loyal fan base. The platform could start a chain reaction starting with women cricketers attracting more personal support and increasing their ‘air time’. Secondly, the WPL will catalyze the development of young talent in the country and the world of cricket. “It (WPL) will give a boost to the development of young talents in the country and the world of cricket,” he added. Third, the WPL will catalyze the development of young talent in the country and the world of cricket.

“The Women’s Premier League is a huge development. Women cricketers in India will now be associated with the game for a long period of time, and that will do good for Indian cricket in the long run,” former India captain and Gujarat Giants mentor Mithali Raj told The Associated Press. There will be benefit.

For many years, the BCCI resisted calls for women’s T20 matches, citing lack of interest from sponsors and broadcasters. However, India’s powerful cricket administration staged a four-match Women’s T20 challenge to run parallel to the IPL knockouts. But late last year, the BCCI finally took action after a financial research report revealed a huge appetite for women’s T20 cricket, and the WPL was born. There are a total of five franchises in WPL Season 1 – Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriors.

The three-week tournament will feature 22 matches, including 20 in the league stage and two knockouts, all played in Mumbai for Season 1. As of now, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals are leading the points table with 4 points each.

Chopra said, “WPL is an impetus where the game will be seen as a career option. It is all looking good for the women’s game at the moment.”

WPL has already become the most lucrative women’s cricket franchise across the globe. Sanjana Ganesan of WPL said, “This is the first season of WPL, but I hope and see it grow into a premier sporting property in the country, creating stars and heroes and creating opportunities for men and women to compete in India. Equalizing the exposure that female athletes get.” said the anchor, Sports18 and JioCinema.