"There was a time when we used to get hardly 1-2 series in a year," says Harmanpreet Kaur

Indian women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur in an exclusive to The Quint reflected on the significant changes that have occurred in the sport over the past year.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lately has taken steps to promote women’s cricket, including announcing pay equity between the men’s and women’s teams’ match fees. Additionally, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) too was launched, with the inaugural season held in March 2023 which saw Harmanpreet lead the Mumbai Indians to victory in the tournament.

“Now that we are playing cricket back to back, we’re happy that are we getting this opportunity because there was a time when we used to get hardly 1-2 series in a year. But now, so much cricket is happening and after the WPL, this break was so important for all of us and we all are enjoying”, Harmanpreet added.

Harmanpreet expresses her enthusiasm for the current packed cricket season, highlighting the contrast with the past when the women’s team struggled to secure regular matches. She appreciates the increased opportunities and is currently enjoying a well-deserved break following the WPL season, eagerly looking forward to the upcoming season.

The WPL provided a platform for numerous Indian domestic players who have dedicated years of hard work but haven’t been able to make it to the international level.

Harmanpreet emphasized the importance of the WPL in shining a spotlight on these players and providing them with validation and financial support. She explains how the limited number of domestic games in the past made it challenging for players to sustain their cricketing careers, leading some to abandon the sport due to financial insecurity. The WPL addresses these concerns by offering more playing opportunities and financial stability.

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Harmanpreet believes that equal contracts will likely be considered in the near future as the board continues to recognize the efforts and hard work of women cricketers. Harmanpreet expresses confidence that the positive changes and increasing support for women’s cricket will prompt further advancements, even if they may take some time to materialize.