Cricket is Everyone's Game

Cricket is not just a game for India; it is an emotion that unites the nation irrespective of language, social class, and cultural disparities, often described as a religion. However, this emotion is seen through a male lens. But after decades of immense struggle and incremental progress, the Indian cricket team finally claimed their first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup on 2 November 2025 by defeating South Africa at Navi Mumbai.

In doing so, the team not only brought the World Cup home but also solidified cricket’s place in Indian society. It justifies that cricket is no longer just a man's game but truly everyone's game.

The formal narrative began in 1973 when the Women’s Cricket Association of India was created. Pioneers like Diana Edulji and Shantha Rangaswamy led the charge. The women who played the same game with equal passion faced many challenges—navigating institutional indifferences, lack of financial support, and limited media coverage—often travelling in unreserved train coaches and relying on rudimentary old facilities.

A pivotal shift occurred in 2006. The year also marked the start of the team’s professional administration, as the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) merged with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This meant that the women's team started getting better support, resources, and infrastructure. It led the Indian women’s cricket team to play in several international tours of Ireland and England and clinch their maiden Women's Asia Cup. Players, in particular Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, established themselves as global legends and consistently lifted the team’s performance.

The true breakthrough in public consciousness arrived in 2017. The team’s thrilling run to the final of the 50-over World Cup at Lord's, though ending in a heartbreaking defeat, captured the nation’s attention and inspired millions. Players namely Smriti Mandhana, Jhulan Goswami, Deepti Sharma, and especially Harmanpreet Kaur played crucial roles in the success. It showcased the talent and ambition of Indian women’s cricket and also sparked a new era of recognition, support, and growth.

The culmination of this long struggle arrived in the modern era. It led to more BCCI support, increased media coverage, and world-class exposure, laying the foundation for later events like the Women’s Premier League in 2023. This strengthened the foundation, directly contributing to the team’s ultimate glory—the historic ICC Women’s World Cup victory on 2 November 2025. Gone are the days when people hardly acknowledged women’s sports, let alone celebrated their victories. After the victory, the country saw midnight celebrations as cricket fans stepped out to honour India Women’s Team's triumph with dhol, firecrackers, and jubilation.

President Draupadi Murmu was quoted as saying, “The younger generation, especially girls, will be inspired to move ahead in life.” She expressed confidence that the team will keep Indian cricket at the top in the future as well. The journey of the Indian women’s cricket team reflects the evolution of Indian society itself—from a time when opportunities were limited for women to a time when they celebrate their victory and excellence. Hence, it can be concluded that the women’s cricket team has come a long way—“from dreams to dominance