Woman's World Cup:How Girls Changing The Story Of Cricket In India

On July 20, 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur delivered what many consider the most significant innings by an Indian female cricketer.

Her bold 171 runs off 115 balls against the formidable Australia in the semi final of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup marked the moment when Indian fans started to recognize “women’s cricket” for what it really is cricket.

Assam Girl

Nearly 5,000 miles away from Derby, England, where Kaur was breaking down the bowling attack of the defending champions, 15 year old Uma Chetry discovered her calling.

At her local club in Assam’s Golaghat district, Chetry felt chills just from hearing the score. While balancing school, helping her parents with farming, and practicing cricket, she would watch the highlights over and over.

She told her teammates, “One day, I want to bat like that. One day, I want to play alongside Harmanpreet Kaur”.

Fast forward seven years to July 7, 2024, and Chetry made history as the first woman cricketer from the Northeast to debut for India.

The blue cap was presented to her by none other than captain Kaur herself.

Kranti Goud

Just like Chetry, Kranti Goud’s journey is all about raw talent shining through in cricket’s lesser known areas.

Back in 2017, in Ghuwara village close to Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, 14 year old Goud was leading her district team to the finals of a U-19 tournament. Local coach Rajiv Bilthare was amazed by her ‘speed that can only be God’s gift’.

That initial spark developed into an impressive performance, taking six wickets in just her fourth international match, helping India secure a rare ‘away’ series victory against England this July.

Andhra Girl

Cricket wasn’t even on the radar for N. Shree Charani from Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh, a place famous for its temples and karam dosa.

Her father, Chandrasekhar Reddy, who works as a junior employee at a thermal power plant, believed that since cricket is a team sport, his daughter, who excelled in athletics, kho kho, and volleyball, wouldn’t get the recognition she deserved.

Fate had different plans for the teenager who simply wanted to “play, play, play”.

During this year’s Women’s Premier League (WPL), Shree Charani, 21, took four wickets in just two matches for the Delhi Capitals.

That was enough for India’s coach Amol Muzumdar to call her the “find of the tournament”.

Within months, she was fast tracked into international cricket.

With 10 wickets in India’s T20 series win over England – where she was named Player of the Series – it’s safe to say Shree Charani’s father had to eat his words, and he did so with joy.

Chetry, Goud, and Shree Charani are more than just fresh faces in the Indian team.

They embody the dreams of small town girls on the biggest stage of all.

The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, starting on September 30.

More than half of India’s 15 member squad will be making their World Cup debut.

They represent a significant cultural shift – cricket expanding beyond its urban boundaries, families and communities rethinking what their daughters can achieve.

Young women from India’s Tier 2 and 3 towns aiming high.

Jhulan Goswami Growth Phase

No one knows this better than former India captain Jhulan Goswami, whose remarkable journey from Chakdah to Kolkata in the late 90s.

A two hour train ride each way just to reach a ground.

She is as legendary as her record for wickets.

“We are a nation in the midst of change, and today you’ll see women in spaces that were previously unseen and unheard of, say a decade ago”, she shares.

The population is youthful, and every girl aspires to achieve something meaningful in her life.

Cricket is just one way to do that. The sport has always been cherished and brings immense pride.

Now, at last, it’s starting to provide financial stability for the girls.

Batting Cricket’s Legend Mithali Raj

Goswami and her long time teammate and record breaking partner, Mithali Raj, have experienced the complete evolution of women’s cricket in India.

They began their careers before the women’s game was recognized by the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), and players were often financially struggling.

“We were draining our family’s finances to represent India”, Mithali Raj, the highest run scorer (across formats) in women’s international cricket, reminisces.

When the Mithali Raj led team came back from South Africa as World Cup runners up in 2005, it was in obscurity, just ike much of their careers had been until that point. Days later, each player received a meager cheque of ₹9,000 from team sponsor Sahara.

When the Indian men’s team returned as runners up in 2003, they were gifted luxurious apartments in Sahara’s Amby Valley in Pune, along with cheques from various sources.

The 2017 World Cup was a game changer, with every match broadcast live, and India coming in second place.

It clearly separates the ‘before’ and ‘after’ phases of Indian women’s cricket.

The International Cricket Council’s online and social media channels hit a record 100 million views, which was a huge boost for the women’s game that really needed it.

Mithali raj recalls, “Not once were we made to feel like we lost the final”, reflecting on their return from England.

Before this, she and Goswami had dedicated their lives to bringing glory to the country, but they did it mostly in the shadows.

Goswami shares, “I had never been so busy and in so much demand ever in my life”, talking about the endless interviews, studio visits, events, shoots, and public appearances that followed.

The next few years, highlighted by another second place finish in the 2020 T20 World Cup, saw incredible growth.

It was really the WPL in 2023 that transformed the landscape of opportunity for women’s cricket in India.

For the first time, the women in blue were truly appreciated. Batter Smriti Mandhana’s ₹3.4 crore deal with Royal Challengers Bengaluru made headlines, but the impact was felt even more broadly, as even uncapped domestic players started earning life changing amounts in a single auction.

Salaries only tell part of the story. Beyond the money, the league has provided these women with something less tangible but far more powerful – confidence. They want to be seen and heard.

For girls from smaller towns, the challenges have always been greater – long travel times, limited facilities, and increased social scrutiny.

Playing in front of packed crowds in Tier 1 stadiums in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi means the current generation doesn’t just survive under pressure, they thrive.

Their approach to the game is bold as well, a stark contrast to the cautious, risk averse mindset of their predecessors.

They are ready to give it their all and are unafraid to express themselves.

It doesn’t matter if they stumble, but the spirit and energy they bring is something else, and that positively influences the entire team.

This confidence isn’t just about cricket, it reflects a bigger change happening in India.Their presence alone is a powerful statement.

Those girls have become role models.

As India approaches a home World Cup, the tales from smaller towns and villages serve as a reminder that women’s cricket is more than just a sporting movement.

It signifies a profound social change, with families redefining what is achievable for their daughters and India itself is gradually, yet surely, aligning with their aspirations and dreams.

Dreams that once faded on dusty village fields now reach for the world’s top stadiums and largest competitions.

Within that journey lies the narrative of a transforming India, where young women no longer wait for permission to aspire, but instead seize the spotlight for themselves.