A pandemic came and the definition of normal changed. The degree of the change keeps varying but the duration seems long. Cricket was also hard hit. Much anticipated ICC events had to be called off and the IPL was postponed. Slowly, however, things appear to have taken the right turn. The test series between Windies and England has already seen two quality matches. There have been talks of an IPL and the latest announcement from ICC adds too much to the speculations.
The Men’s T20 World Cup has been postponed and the apex cricketing body has agreed on taking a more flexible turn over the schedule in upcoming times. There is so much happening in men’s cricket. There are headlines saying chartered planes for players to play in the richest cricket league in the world. Things look open and exciting, to say the least.
For women’s cricket, things are exactly the opposite. The top two updates for fans of women’s cricket are not coming from scoreboards.
Indian fans rather have to live with the thought that the Indian side would not be traveling to England to take part in the bilateral series scheduled in September. It is strange to believe that BCCI fails to assure security for female cricketers but considers it absolutely fine for men from all different countries to travel and create one of the biggest logistical challenges in times like these.
The problem, as said, rises from the society and societal problems. Indians know Rahul Johri and Jay Shah but they wouldn’t know the names of faces running the game in women’s arena. As a matter of fact, BCCI realizes the same and the Indian team doesn’t have a proper selection panel.
JUST IN:
India will not travel to England for the proposed women’s tri-series because of coronavirus restrictions. pic.twitter.com/h3D3hsejv2
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 20, 2020
In fact, after the Women’s T20 World Cup, there seems to be a void in the panel. Moreover, the team lacks a manager too. It appears that the Indian Cricket Board has prepared for a long break in the women’s cricket. For men, we have long debates and discussions on the efficiency of coaches and staffs but for women there is ignorance.
It would be, however, wrong to blame BCCI for an ailment that covers the entire society. The pandemic seems to have exposed the age-old bias that has been decorated by the patriarchal way of living. The only way to reform is through fans. If we watch the game more, if we want the game more then boards will have to give them due consideration.
Nevertheless, for this to happen, people will have to shed the orthodoxies and adopt a more rational and humane thought process.
Loves all things female cricket
