Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar and actress Deepika Padukone have welcomed the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) new return-to-play guidelines for women cricketers after pregnancy, calling it an important step forward for women’s sport.
The ICC recently introduced its ‘Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines’, a plan designed to help female cricketers safely return to the game after giving birth. The guidelines provide medical, fitness and mental health support to help players continue their cricket careers while becoming mothers.
The new plan includes a structured 16-week programme to help players return to competitive cricket. It is based on six stages — Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine — and focuses on both physical recovery and mental well-being.
Reacting to the announcement, Tendulkar praised the ICC for bringing in the new policy and spoke about its importance for the future of women’s cricket. “Exceptional batting by the @ICC,” Tendulkar wrote on X.
“Empowerment in sport is about ensuring that a player’s journey, in all phases, is supported with the right framework. Seeing the transition from ‘choosing between’ to ‘doing both’ is proof that we are playing the game the right way. A massive boost for the future of women cricketers worldwide,” he added.
The guidelines also suggest appointing a dedicated Case Manager, either a doctor or physiotherapist, to guide each player through her return to top-level cricket after pregnancy. The programme places strong focus on mental health support in the early stages, helping athletes adjust to motherhood while preparing to return to the sport.
After the recovery phase, players gradually return to strength and fitness training. Following eight weeks of monitored assessments, they can begin running again under medical supervision. Before returning to competitive matches, players must complete detailed checks to make sure they are physically ready and free from issues such as injuries or pelvic floor problems.
The ICC said the framework was created with player welfare as the main priority while also fitting the legal requirements of different countries.
Bollywood star Deepika Padukone also welcomed the initiative and called it a major moment for women in sport. Sharing a report about the policy on her Instagram Stories, Deepika described it as a “landmark moment for women in sport.”
The actress has often spoken about mental health awareness, women’s empowerment and the importance of work-life balance. Her support for the ICC’s new maternity policy reflects those values and highlights the need to create systems that allow women to succeed both personally and professionally.
The ICC’s new guidelines aim to make sure women cricketers do not have to choose between motherhood and their sporting careers. The policy includes recovery plans, medical and mental health support, flexible training schedules, childcare support and facilities for mothers and babies.
Deepika’s support brings more attention to an initiative that many believe could help women’s sport grow further. By backing a policy focused on helping athletes through different stages of life, she has once again highlighted the importance of creating opportunities that help women succeed both on and off the field.
With support from influential figures like Sachin Tendulkar and Deepika Padukone, the ICC’s latest move is being seen as a big step towards making professional cricket more supportive and inclusive for women around the world.
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