Ahead of the highly anticipated ICC Women’s World Cup final between India and South Africa, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla expressed his delight at the surging popularity of women’s cricket across India. He emphasized the growing spectator engagement and the team’s stellar run in the tournament as catalysts for this transformation.
‘When the semi-final was being played, the stadium was jam-packed,’ Shukla observed, noting the unprecedented ticket demand for the final. He recollected a time when women’s cricket garnered little attention and even lacked player representation in many states. Today, he remarked, ‘people are coming to watch the match live,’ signaling a profound cultural shift. Parents are now enthusiastically encouraging their daughters to pursue the sport, a development Shukla finds particularly heartening.
The BCCI Vice President praised the Indian team’s fighting spirit, particularly their semi-final triumph against formidable opponents Australia. Successfully chasing a record-breaking total in the semi-final was a landmark achievement that has brought significant recognition to the women’s team and accelerated the progress of women’s cricket in India.
With eyes set on the title clash against South Africa, Shukla is optimistic about India lifting the World Cup. He believes this victory would not only crown the team but also substantially enhance the global standing of women’s cricket in India. He assured that continuous efforts have been made by the BCCI to nurture and promote women’s cricket since its inclusion.
In the thrilling semi-final, Australia set a target of 338, powered by Litchfield’s century and Perry’s half-century, with Gardner adding a rapid 63. India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Charani and Sharma, claimed crucial wickets. The chase saw Jemimah Rodrigues play a match-winning innings, supported by valuable contributions from Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, and Amanjot Kaur, ensuring India’s passage to the final with a comfortable win. Jemimah was deservedly named Player of the Match.