Stories of Grit Behind Indian Women's Cricket Rise | Diya Ray

The Unbreakable Spirit: Stories of Grit Behind Indian Women's Cricket Rise

Think back to the scorching heat at Lord's Cricket Ground back in 2017. The Indian women's team almost won the big cup. They lost by only nine runs. That game sparked a fire across India. Fans who never watched before started cheering. This was the start of their big climb.

Women's cricket used to stay in the dark. Teams practiced on dusty ground with no crowds. Now they fill huge stadiums. A 2025 deal with Tata helped them grow fast. This did not happen by luck. It took years of hard work and fighting bias.

Image Source : Frontline

Let’s dive into the real tales of courage that contributed to the rise of Indian women’s cricket.

Early Hurdles and Societal Resistance

Battling the Norm: Cricket as a "Man's Game"

In the past, people thought cricket was just for men. Girls faced rude comments for picking up a bat. Families often wanted them to stay home and do chores. A few brave girls pushed back. They proved that talent has no gender. Neighbours whispered about them. Those early players just kept going shattering all the norms.

Scarcity of Resources

Training was hard without good gear. That was the reality for decades. Players used worn out balls and cracked pitches. They earned almost no money. Most had to work or go to school too. They borrowed cash from family to travel. This lack of tools made them very tough.

Trailblazers Who Refused to Quit

Shantha Rangaswamy led the first official team in the 1970s despite zero support. She faced empty stands and begged for spots in tournaments. Diana Edulji, the fast bowler, even sold her jewellery to pay for trips abroad in the 1980s. These women paid their own way. Without them, the stars of today would not exist.

Image Source : Mint

Fighting for Recognition and Fair Compensation

The Pay Gap Abyss

Women earned very little compared to men for a long time. In the year 2000, their pay was tiny. Central contracts were a dream, with many players getting nothing until 2015. The BCCI finally matched their pay in 2022. But that came after decades of pleas. This remuneration gap increased demand for BCCI policy reform.

Now the best players earn 50 lakhs a year. Still, the path was paved with protests and patience.

Sponsorship Scarcity

Before 2010, no brands wanted to help them. Men flew in first class while women sat in the economy. Now players like Smriti Mandhana endorses cars and phones.

Growth came slow. Many players had to count on local ads and find creative ways to support themselves financially. Now, deals flow in, lifting the whole team.

Legal and Administrative Battles for Equality

The evolution of women's sports in India reflects a shift from advocating for basic needs like proper kits and travel accommodations in the 1990s to achieving significant financial security and professional recognition today. This transformation has seen senior player contracts increase substantially, fuelled by institutional changes, public advocacy, and key milestones like pay parity decisions and major sporting victories.

Personal Sacrifices and Family Support

The Balancing Act

Top players often missed their exams for practice. Marriages were put off so they could play. Jemimah Rodrigues studied on her phone between training sessions. This was a hard life to lead. They did it for the love of the game.

The Unsung Heroes

Parents played a huge role too. The dad of Harmanpreet Kaur drove her 50 km daily to practice in Punjab's fields. He quit his job to coach her full-time. That sacrifice turned her into a T20 powerhouse.

Mothers made meals and stood up to critics. These families were the backbone of the sport.

Overcoming Isolation and Doubt

Sparse crowds meant playing to empty echoes. Mithali Raj had to be strong in her mind. She turned her doubts into power. Now they have doctors to help with mental health. They have learned to ignore mean people online.

Image Source : Mint

The Turning Point

The 2017 World Cup Catalyst

The 2017 cup final changed everything. 20 Million of people watched that match. Newspapers started talking about stars like Poonam Yadav. The media narrative shift hooked a nation. More girls started playing in schools after that. Fans chanted louder. The team felt seen at last.

The Impact of Key Captaincies

Mithali Raj led the team for 10 years. She fought for better kits and pay. Harmanpreet Kaur hit sixes and spoke up for juniors. These leaders built a strong team.

Their voices echoed in boardrooms, pushing change.

Professionalization

Coaches went from part-time to pros in 2018. Experts like Amol Muzumdar now practice tactics every day. Support staff doubled in five years. They have better gyms and tools now. Injuries have gone down by 40%  as per reports. Players focus purely on play. Facilities upgraded too like AC gyms, video analysis etc. The team competes fiercer now.

Conclusion

Current success is built on old struggles. The grit of past players like Rangaswamy flows into stars today like Mandhana. Their strength turned quiet hopes into loud roars. The team is much faster and stronger today. We must keep building new pitches and finding coaches. This keeps the sport growing for the next group of girls. Fewer barriers mean more space for talents to blooms. These stories show that Indian women can achieve any goal, no matter the odds. Go out, cheer loud for them, share their stories, and be part of their rise.