‘Women’s cricket will reach its pinnacle and Indian women’s cricket will be above that.’ Arjun Awardee Shantha Rangaswamy ‘s legacy in Indian cricket is nothing short of legendary. As the first woman to lead an Indian cricket team, the first to secure a Test series victory, and the inaugural recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, she blazed trails that would inspire generations to come
In the history of Indian cricket, the contributions of former Indian captain Shantha Rangaswamy stand as pillars of dedication and resilience. In a short interview video posted on Women’s Premier League’s X handle where she was acknowledged as the ‘OG Queen,’ her words powerfully resonate as she reflects on the journey of women’s cricket in India.
Her words encapsulate the essence of her and her contemporaries’ commitment to cricket. In an era where resources and recognition were the bare minimum, their passion illuminated the path forward, Through countless hours of practice, overcoming societal barriers, which laid the foundation for future generations.
She acknowledged the challenges encountered along the way. The journey has been one of profound significance. Every struggle and every sacrifice has contributed to the base of Indian women’s cricket, shaping its identity and resilience. As curator of cricket’s legacy, she and her peers forged a solid foundation upon which today’s cricketing stars like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma were shown in the video flourish.
Their dedication has paved the way for the emergence of new talent, once overlooked but now ascending to stardom, she emphasized that they are just not growing, but they are flourishing with great excellence. In their journey from obscurity to prominence, they epitomize the virtues of diligence and determination.
Rangaswamy’s words serve as a reminder that success is not merely achieved but earned through endless effort and hard work. she mentions, how hard work and opportunity can turn unknown players into cricketing heroes.
Rangaswamy emphasizes traditional training and technique. It is through the mastery of fundamentals that players lay the foundation for greatness, refining their skills to perfection.
Her words resound with optimism and ambition, embodying the utmost belief in the potential of women’s cricket to scale new heights. Rangaswamy’s vision is one of boundless possibility, a future where Indian women’s cricket stands as an illuminant of excellence and inspiration to the world. Her words serve as a guiding light, illuminating the path forward with hope, determination, and unwavering belief.
Shantha Rangaswamy quoted “Whatever we did, we did for the love of the game, we have ruffed out but when you look back, I feel it’s been worth it. We ensure the game doesn’t vigor away.
“We laid a solid foundation on which all these current days stars are now thriving, they are booming, I assure you one thing, seen such new talented people who went unnoticed, today they are becoming stars, nothing comes easy, and hard work always pays, don’t get enamored by these fancy shots play copybook cricket till you perfect those shots. We can assure you women’s cricket will reach its pinnacle and Indian women’s cricket will be above that.”