In a landmark moment for women’s leadership in Indian cricket, Shantha Rangaswamy, a pioneering figure in the sport, has been elected President of the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA), becoming the first woman to hold the position. The ICA, which represents retired Indian cricketers, also appointed Venkat Sundaram, a former Delhi opener, as its new Secretary, while Deepak Jain takes over as Treasurer.
The newly elected ICA Board includes Jyoti Thatte and Santhosh Subramoniam as member representatives, further diversifying the leadership team. But it is the nominations to the BCCI’s key bodies that underscore the moment’s significance.
For the first time, a female nominee—former India women’s captain Shubhangi Kulkarni—has been named to the IPL Governing Council by the ICA. Simultaneously, Sudha Shah, another former women’s captain, has been nominated to the BCCI Apex Council. Representing the male cricketers on the Apex Council is V. Chamundeswara Nath, popularly known as Chamundi, from the Hyderabad Cricket Association.
“This election marks a notable moment for the ICA, with two women now serving on the ICA Board, and for the first time, a female president and a female nominee to the IPL Governing Council – reflecting the Association’s commitment to inclusive representation and progressive leadership,” a release stated.
A trailblazer in Indian women’s cricket
Shantha Rangaswamy’s appointment is not just symbolic—it caps off a decades-long journey of breaking barriers in Indian cricket. Born in Chennai in 1954, Rangaswamy captained India in its first-ever women’s Test victory, a historic win over the West Indies in Patna in 1976.
An accomplished all-rounder, she played 16 Test matches between 1976 and 1991, scoring 750 runs at an average of 32.60. Her 108 against New Zealand in 1977 was the first Test century ever scored by an Indian woman. She also claimed 21 Test wickets and led the national side in eight of those matches. In ODIs, Rangaswamy represented India in 19 games from 1981 to 1986, captaining 16 of them.
In 1976, she became the first woman to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award for cricket. Decades later, in 2017, the BCCI recognized her lifelong contributions to the game with its Lifetime Achievement Award for Women.
Continuing a legacy beyond the field
Beyond her playing career, Rangaswamy has remained deeply involved in the sport—as a coach, selector, and television commentator—mentoring future generations and advocating for women’s cricket in India.
Her elevation to ICA President marks a full-circle moment for someone who has consistently championed greater recognition for women in cricket, both on and off the field.
ICA’s evolving leadership landscape
The ICA’s latest leadership reshuffle signals a clear push toward inclusivity and reform within cricket governance. With two women now on the ICA Board and historic female representation in the BCCI and IPL governing structures, the organization is embracing a more progressive and balanced model.
This change is particularly significant given the ICA’s mandate to represent retired players—many of whom have long advocated for stronger voices and better support structures after their playing days. By electing Rangaswamy and nominating trailblazers like Shah and Kulkarni, the ICA is also acknowledging the long-overlooked contributions of women cricketers in shaping Indian cricket history.
As the cricket industry continues to evolve, these moves by the ICA may serve as a blueprint for how legacy institutions can drive more equitable and forward-looking governance.
