New Delhi: Can the heartbreak of a nervous loss pave the way for a groundbreaking new era for women's cricket? It's a question that will find its answer in the next few months as Mithali Raj and Co. cope with the unprecedented spotlight that followed their fairytale World Cup campaign, which could have been perfect but for the loss of nerves against England in the final.
New Delhi: Can the heartbreak of a nervous loss pave the way for a groundbreaking new era for women's cricket? It's a question that will find its answer in the next few months as Mithali Raj and Co. cope with the unprecedented spotlight that followed their fairytale World Cup campaign, which could have been perfect but for the loss of nerves against England in the final.
As one looks back at the World Cup, it was not about India finishing second best for the second time at a global event. It was way beyond that and much more. Not just because of the extent of traction it received on social and mainstream media but also for the manner in which it got the previously indifferent country involved. It was the most widely watched finale in the history of women's game. In fact, India's campaign changed perception of sports lovers during the past one month.
Defeat in a professional sport is heartbreaking but the manner in which everyone was ready to look at the bigger picture beyond the nine-run loss was indeed heartwarming. It wasn't the case of one loss being the summary of an entire campaign. The cricket crazy nation was ready to celebrate the journey rather than the destination. That is what makes this Indian team led by Mithali Raj a beacon of hope for women's game in the country.
For an Ananya in Jamshedpur or an Amrita in Chandigarh, they will no longer aspire to become the next Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni or Virat Kohli. They have Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy or Shikha Pandey to emulate even as the iconic pair of Mithali and Jhulan Goswami walks into their cricketing sunset in the next couple of years.
The sixes that Harmanpreet hit were not about entertainment but a statement of intent as what one can expect from Indian women in days to come. The swagger with which Veda walks to the crease makes one happy as well as proud. The women were ready to show that they don't play global competition to be also-rans, something that was the bane of women's cricket -- thanks to administrative apathy for the longest time.
Mithali, in her younger days, never had a Harmanpreet like player around, which would have given her a chance to express herself more freely. But Harmanpreet has a Veda around her, who can also hit sixes at will. That is the change that has come about in this team. India now have a couple of powerful, strongly built players -- something the team never had in four decades even though old timers would refer to Shanta Rangaswamy.
Mithali is set to be presented with a BMW, the likes of Jhulan, Harman are financially well off playing the game. They have built houses, drive cars and are able to lead a good life. It's there for all to see and perhaps strong feelers to the parents of 10-15 year olds that if their kids possess talent, what all can be the incentives. However, a women's IPL, like the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia, may still be a long shot as far as the BCCI is concerned.
The hype could be sustainable if BCCI helps in creating more awareness about what the Indian team's next line of international assignments are, ensuring that all the action is televised. The next tournament that this team plays will be an indicator whether this edition of the World Cup was a one off or not. "Now people back home will have a different perspective about women's cricket," said Mithali after the final. Hopefully it does so that no one asks the next Mithali, "who is your favourite male cricketer?". PTI
