WC win will boost further growth of Indian cricket, feel former players

Kolkata: If women’s cricket in the country has been on the rise for few years now, it surely reached its highest point with India winning their maiden World Cup in Navi Mumbai on Sunday night.

As Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. buried the ghost of losing two finals on previous attempts, the entire country erupted in joy with South Africa going down by 52 runs in the final.While many feel this could be a watershed moment in women’s cricket in India, former cricketers think it will also strengthen India’s overall cricket growth, men and women alike.“I could see 32 crore people were watching the live streaming of the final! As a cricketer myself, it feels good that people are loving it.

With WPL and all, women’s cricket in India was already growing in the last 5-7 years, so it’s not that this win will now inspire budding cricketers, it was already inspiring. But this trophy will help youngsters from every corner of the nation to believe more strongly that they can make a name and earn a living playing cricket as a professional.

The graph is surely going higher,” former India international from Jharkhand, Shahbaz Nadeem, told TOI on Monday.

“Winning 2023 Men’s T20 World Cup and now Women’s ODI World Cup show Indian cricket is on right track and our infrastructure is proper for the growth of the game. Women’s cricket is surely on the rise and winning an ICC trophy surely puts you on the global map in a proper way,” adds the present Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) joint secretary.For veteran Odisha cricketer Biplab Samantray, there is the belief that this title win will boost India’s cricketing journey.

“It’s great for women’s cricket in the country, the title will definitely inspire coming generations. India were already doing good in women’s cricket but losing two World Cup finals before was heartbreaking.“I think, to some extent, that put a chokers’ tag to our women’s team like what we say about South Africa men’s team. Winning an ICC trophy will finally remove the tag and confirm our status as a top side in the world,” said the 36-year-old all-rounder from Cuttack, who has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Deccan Chargers in IPL.Samantray also feels that “with players like Kranti Gaud (from Ghuwara in MP) and Uma Chetry (Bokakhat in Assam) representing India, it will inspire youngsters coming from small towns to dream big like what

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

did in men’s cricket.