The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President, Rajeev Shukla, has lauded the burgeoning popularity of women’s cricket in India, coinciding with the team’s impressive journey to the ICC Women’s World Cup final against South Africa. He highlighted the increased fan attendance and the team’s commendable performances as indicators of this positive trend.
Shukla noted the packed stadiums during the semi-final and the high demand for final tickets, stating, ‘People are coming to watch the match live.’ He contrasted this with the past, where the sport received limited attention and few players existed in many regions. A significant societal shift, he pointed out, is parents’ newfound willingness and excitement to support their daughters in pursuing cricket careers.
The Indian team’s victory over Australia in the semi-final, where they chased down a record-breaking score, was particularly praised by Shukla as a major achievement. This win, he emphasized, has brought immense credit to the women’s team and is propelling women’s cricket forward in India.
Expressing full confidence in the team’s prospects for the World Cup final, Shukla anticipates India clinching the trophy. He envisions this victory elevating Indian women’s cricket to international acclaim. He also affirmed the BCCI’s sustained commitment to the development of women’s cricket since taking it under its purview.
The semi-final match saw Australia post a challenging 338, with Litchfield, Perry, and Gardner being the chief contributors with the bat. While India’s bowlers, including Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma, managed to pick up wickets, the batting effort was led by Jemimah Rodrigues, who played a match-defining knock. Supported by Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, and Amanjot Kaur, India successfully chased the target, securing their spot in the final. Jemimah’s outstanding performance earned her the Player of the Match award.