The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was awarded the ‘Game Changer of the Year’ at CNBC TV18’s India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) on Thursday, with Secretary Jay Shah dedicating the award to the Indian women cricketers. The ceremony was attended by prominent women cricketers such as Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemimah Rodrigues.
Shah expressed his gratitude towards all the cricketers who work hard on the field and the viewers who support the game of cricket. He dedicated the award to the women cricketers and highlighted their accomplishments, stating, “In 2019, women players played their first ever pink-ball test in Australia, where they dominated.” Shah also shared his decision to ensure pay parity for women cricketers in India and mentioned the unanimous agreement on the same.
Congratulations to the 🇮🇳 Indian Women’s Cricket team for winning the ‘Game Changer of the Year’ Award in CNBC-TV18’s ‘India Business Leader Awards’. #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Jg76LYCeGZ
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) May 12, 2023
The WPL has changed the landscape of women’s cricket forever by ensuring that players no longer struggle for livelihood and recognition and teams no longer miss out on talented players. As the highest-paid franchise tournament in women’s sports, not only in India but across the globe, the WPL is here to stay and evolve rapidly. It has brought attention to women’s cricket and created opportunities for talented players to showcase their skills.
Mithali Raj, one of the greatest women cricketers of all time, spoke about the significant changes in women’s cricket in the last two years. She emphasized the potential of women’s cricket as a viable sport and how it can inspire young girls to pursue the sport. Mithali stated, “Women cricketers on television will inspire many other girls to walk down their path.”
Jemimah Rodrigues, Nikhat Zareen and Smriti Mandhana at a recent event 😍 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/c9AkMcQyg8
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) May 11, 2023
The success of the WPL is significant in terms of promoting gender parity in sports and providing equal opportunities for women. It has shown that women’s cricket can be just as entertaining and engaging as men’s cricket and has opened up new avenues for women in sports. The tournament has set a benchmark for women’s cricket and has the potential to inspire many young girls to take up the sport and pursue their dreams.
Jhulan Goswami, the leading wicket-taker in women’s One-Day Internationals, praised the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and its impact on women’s cricket in India. According to Jhulan, the WPL will be a game-changer for women’s cricket as more young girls aspire to become WPL players and participate in the tournament.
Team India has emerged victorious in the U-19 Women’s World Cup, and the Women’s Premier League has garnered much attention as it prepares to begin. The BCCI’s decision to introduce pay parity for women players is also a significant step forward, not only for Indian cricket but for the sports industry as a whole. These positive changes are the result of a combination of factors, including the forward-thinking approach of the current leadership and the dedication and hard work of players and administrators who have paved the way for the sport over the past fifty years, from the early 1970s to the 2010s.
The recognition given to BCCI at the IBLA acknowledges their efforts toward the development of women’s cricket in India. The award signifies the progress made by women’s cricket in India and the importance of investing in women’s sports. It is a positive step towards achieving gender parity and ensuring equal opportunities for women in the field of sports.
Sports have always been a huge part of my life, and having played cricket professionally for my state team, I gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in the world of sports. With an eye for detail and passion for sports, I’m hoping to make a lasting impact in the sports industry.