Cricket in India has always been a national obsession, and the year 2023 has been no different. From the Under-19 women’s team winning the World Cup to the long-awaited Women’s Premier League (WPL) taking center stage, Indian women’s cricket has reached new heights.
However, the men’s team faced heartbreak in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, leaving fans yearning for an ICC title. In a recent interview with former India women’s team captain, Anjum Chopra, she talked about the emergence of women’s cricket, the success of the WPL, and the challenges faced by the Indian team.
The Women’s Emerging Asia Cup: Uplifting the Game
The inaugural edition of the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup was a significant initiative in women’s cricket. Anjum Chopra highlights the importance of more teams participating and the opportunity it provides for young players to gain international experience. The emergence of such tournaments is a positive sign for the growth of women’s cricket.
The Women’s Premier League: Setting New Standards
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India was a landmark event for women’s cricket. Anjum Chopra, who closely observed the entire season, emphasizes the significance of the tournament finally taking place. The WPL showcased competitive matches, high-quality cricket, and strong performance by the Indian players. The successful execution of the tournament in a short period of time is a testament to the potential and growth of women’s cricket in the country.
The Spectator Support: A Pleasant Surprise
One of the most unexpected aspects of the Women’s Premier League was the overwhelming support from spectators. The stadiums were mostly full, with people turning up in large numbers to watch the matches. Anjum Chopra admits that she didn’t anticipate such a response, but the enthusiasm shown by the fans was certainly encouraging.
The decision to conduct the tournament in Mumbai, with its passionate cricket fans, played a significant role in attracting a large crowd. The support from the spectators is a positive sign for the future of women’s cricket in India.
Mumbai Indians: A Benchmark for Franchise Cricket
The Mumbai Indians (MI) were the standout team of the Women’s Premier League, with Delhi Capitals (DC) also putting up a strong performance. Anjum Chopra, however, cautions against comparing men’s and women’s teams in franchise cricket or the international circuit.
Anjum believes that each team should be evaluated on its own merits, rather than making unfair comparisons. MI’s success in the WPL should be celebrated without undermining the achievements of the men’s team. Both teams have their own strengths and areas for improvement.
On her opinion as an ex-cricketer and former India captain on poor performances in ICC knockout games by both the women’s and men’s teams.
She said, “It has to change. You don’t want to continue with the trend of losing ICC events. For us, it has gone very long. From 1983 to 2011 was a huge gap. Meanwhile, we had a 2007 and then we got an Under-19 Women’s ICC trophy which is good. As a former player and broadcaster I would want this trend to change. I’m hoping that it changes faster than it was when the men won the world cup. The women haven’t won it yet.”
She hopes for a faster turnaround in the women’s team’s fortunes, and for both teams to develop a habit of winning ICC events. In conclusion, the year so far has been eventful for Indian cricket, with both successes and disappointments.
(Quotes sourced from news18)
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