I often go back to that magical evening of June 25, 1983, when India’s fearless band of brothers lifted the Cricket World Cup at Lord’s. I was barely 10 years old, but the images of the players running with stumps and bails, especially Mohinder Amarnath—Man of the Match in both the semi-final and the final—are etched in my mind forever.
That win told an entire generation of young Indians that dreams need not be constrained by boundaries. Kapil Dev’s iconic 175* against Zimbabwe, though never televised, lives in cricket folklore. That moment taught boys across India—from the gullies of Mumbai to the villages of Punjab—that aspiration could be limitless.
In 1987, I stood as a ball boy at Wankhede Stadium during India’s semi-final loss to England. Watching my heroes up close, I made a promise to myself—I, too, would wear the India jersey someday.
A turning point for Indian women’s cricket
Now, nearly four decades later, women’s cricket in India stands on the cusp of its own historic transformation. The upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup isn’t just about chasing a trophy—it’s about igniting dreams in every corner of the country.
Somewhere in Moga, a teenage girl may be clutching her bat tighter, inspired by Harmanpreet Kaur. In Sangli, another young girl could be practicing her cover drive, dreaming like Smriti Mandhana.
Harmanpreet and Smriti: Symbols of a new era
Harmanpreet’s epic 171* against Australia in the 2017 World Cup was not just an innings—it was a statement. Her bold shot selection, fearless attitude, and unshakable focus put Indian women’s cricket on centre stage.
Smriti Mandhana brings a graceful elegance to the game. Her record-breaking 50-ball century against Australia was breathtaking and bold—a declaration that Indian women can dominate global T20 cricket.
A movement larger than the game
This World Cup is bigger than any one player or team. It represents a paradigm shift in how we perceive the women’s game. For too long, women’s cricket remained in the shadows, despite its extraordinary talent pool. Today, it has the power to break barriers of gender, visibility, and access.
That little girl with a plastic bat in a small town should feel that the world is open to her—just as I felt after watching the men lift the trophy in 1983.
The rise of the Women’s Premier League
Much of this transformation has been enabled by the launch of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). It has brought platforms, visibility, and financial empowerment that previous generations could only dream of. Credit must go to Jay Shah, BCCI Secretary, who pushed for equal match fees and helped lay the foundation for the WPL.
The ICC’s decision to offer record prize money—even surpassing the men’s World Cup in 2023—is both symbolic and practical. It sends a strong message: women’s cricket deserves equal respect.
Carrying the dreams of a nation
As Team India steps onto the field for this Women’s World Cup, they will represent more than just a cricket team. They carry the hopes of millions, the possibility of reshaping the sport, and the power to inspire future generations.
Just as 1983 redefined Indian cricket, I believe this World Cup can do the same for women’s cricket in India. And perhaps, years from now, some little girl will watch a match and say: “That was the day my journey began.”
