Hosting a Historic World Cup 2025
In a cricket-frenzy nation, hosting the most prestigious ICC tournament — the Cricket World Cup — should have the country buzzing with excitement, shouldn’t it? India is co-hosting the ICC Women’s World Cup with Sri Lanka, marking the first time since 2013 and the fourth time overall. Between then and now, one would expect multiple positive developments surrounding women’s cricket. While there have been positive steps taken, is women’s cricket still getting the recognition and visibility it truly deserves?
The Visibility Gap between Men and Women in Cricket
In a country where cricket is a unifying force and the talk of every household, the Women’s World Cup remains almost invisible beyond a few fleeting mentions. By comparison, the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 saw excitement building months before the tournament began, fuelled by television, social media, and everyday conversations. This stark difference is not only disappointing but also a lost opportunity to inspire young girls looking to take up the sport.
Progress Made, Challenges Remain
Women’s cricket in India has come a long way. The BCCI and ICC have taken important steps, such as announcing equal prize money for men and women in ICC tournaments, launching the Women’s Premier League (WPL), and encouraging grassroots participation. However, the ground reality remains harsh.
Women cricketers at the grassroots level often earn as little as ₹10,000 or ₹20,000 per game — barely enough to sustain themselves. Visibility remains a challenge, with men’s cricket still prioritised for prime-time slots and media attention.
More Than Money — It’s About Respect
It has reached a stage where the discussion is no longer just about money or marketing — it is about respect. The late M.K. Sharma’s words from 1973, quoted in the book Free Hit, still echo loudly today: “Kanyaon ki cricket hogi, zaroor aaiye” (There will be a cricket match played by women, so do come, watch, and support it). Nearly five decades later, this call remains urgent.
With the Women’s Cricket World Cup being hosted on home soil after so long, it’s not just a game or tournament — it’s a historic moment for the Women in Blue. As fans, the least we can do is show up, cheer, and make their journey visible.
A Golden Opportunity for Change
The World Cup is more than a competition — it is a golden opportunity for advertisers, fans, and broadcasters to step up and reflect the broader cultural shift happening in sports. As ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said:
“The greater impact of this tournament lies in normalising women occupying spaces traditionally dominated by men rather than just focusing on winning.”
The WPL is proof that when visibility and investment come together, women’s cricket can thrive. For every match played, players from all over the world are rewriting the narrative and breaking boundaries. But for their stories to truly resonate, they need an audience as passionate and unwavering as that of the men’s game. Annu Rani is another example that shows what our women athletes can achieve if a proper platform is made available for them.
Let’s make that possible for every young girl who dares to dream and step onto the field.
Yash Desai is a renowned journalist with over 10+ years of experience covering sports around the world. He began his career as a News Reporter in Delhi, India, and got an opportunity to cover several World events, including the Olympics, Paralympics, and World Games. He often felt that women’s sports are sidelined and given step-motherly treatment by the mainstream media. To bridge this gap and to build an equal playing field, Yash co-founded FemaleInSports and is currently working as a Lead Editor here.
