Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: INDIA’S triumph in the ICC Women’s World Cup marks a historic milestone for sports, reflecting not just a monumental achievement in cricket but also a powerful narrative of gender empowerment and national pride.
The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, showcased exceptional skill, determination, and teamwork throughout the tournament, culminating in the first-ever Women’ World Cup title. The victory is a testament to years of rigorous training, strategic planning, and the rising standards of women’s cricket in the country.
All-round excellence
The final – played at the packed DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on November 2 – displayed a commanding performance, with both the batting and bowling lineups delivering under pressure against a formidable opponent, South Africa.
Two memorable performances in the title march came from Shefali Verma (87) and Deepti Sharma (58 and 5 wickets). Jemimah Rogdrigues – with a stellar, unbeaten knock of 127 – excelled in the semi-final against Australia that paved the way for India’s entry to the final.
Lifting the coveted trophy, however, was no cakewalk for the Women in Blue. After losing three successive games, they were on the verge of missing out on the semi-final berth; but they kept their nerve and thrashed New Zealand in the must-win match – a result which steeled their resolve to win the title.
Socio-cultural impact
Beyond the cricketing excellence, the win holds profound socio-cultural significance. It challenges long-standing stereotypes and demonstrates the potential of women to excel in highpressure sporting arenas traditionally dominated by men.
The widespread media coverage and public celebrations across the country underscore the shift in societal perceptions towards women’s sports and highlight the inspirational impact on thousands of young girls nationwide. On the economic front, the victory is poised to transform women’s cricket with bigger and fatter sponsorship, improved infrastructure, and heightened engagement of fans in the cricket-crazy country.
The triumphant girls have also other reasons to smile. Besides the nationwide, and global recognition, their brand value has increased manifold. Media reports say that the endorsement fee of players like Harmanpreet, Vice-Captain Smriti Mandhana, Jamaimah and Deepti has jumped between 25 to 100 per cent.
On global stage
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), perhaps the richest cricketing administrator in the world, is expected to leverage the new-found momentum and invest further in grassroots initiatives that encourage women cricketers and create more opportunities for them. The win also reinforces India’s position on the global sports map, showcasing its ability to compete and succeed at the highest levels. It promotes cricket as a unifying force for the nation, bringing together diverse communities in celebration of a common goal.