‘From traveling in unreserved coaches to sleeping on the floor’: Former India captain recalls women’s cricket team’s decades of struggle

India’s women’s cricket team, which once traveled in unreserved train coaches and slept on dormitory floors, is now on the brink of history. On Sunday, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, they will face South Africa in their third World Cup final, aiming for their first-ever title after heartbreaks in 2005 and 2017.The team enters the final riding high after defeating seven-time champions Australia in the semifinal — a landmark moment that underlines their remarkable rise.

Former India captain, commentator, and administrator Shantha Rangaswamy reflected on the team’s journey over the decades.“From traveling in unreserved coaches to sleeping in dormitories on the floor — we even had to carry our own bedding and cricket kits like backpacks,” Rangaswamy told PTI.“We’re so happy that the current lot now gets all the facilities they deserve. The results speak for themselves — the efforts of the girls, BCCI, and state associations have all contributed to the success of women’s cricket.”She emphasized how the groundwork laid nearly five decades ago is now bearing fruit.Rangaswamy predicted that a World Cup win could revolutionize women’s cricket in India.“It will be a huge boost. Just as Kapil Dev’s 1983 win changed men’s cricket, this victory could double or triple the number of women cricketers in the next five years.”

The veteran also credited Jay Shah’s leadership and the launch of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023 for the game’s rapid growth.

“When Jay Shah was BCCI secretary, he brought in many reforms that gave women’s cricket a big boost. It’s paying rich dividends now.”Rangaswamy also lauded Harmanpreet Kaur’s match-winning knock in the semifinal.“Jemimah (Rodrigues) batted well, but Harmanpreet’s innings was exceptional. As a batter and fielder, she’s fantastic — her innings had great value. She truly deserves kudos.”