India’s U19 World Cup cricket triumph brings a dash of optimism to women’s cricket. By drubbing South Africa in the finals, the Indian team displayed an infectious ambition, dominating the tournament. It augurs well for the future of women’s cricket in India. Though Australia, England and New Zealand barely take juniors cricket seriously, the Indian U19 triumph will ignite hopes of a seniors trophy. It can safely be said that India has unearthed a superstar talent in Gongadi Trisha, an all-rounder and prolific batter from the World Cup.
Women’s cricket in India has earned its rightful privileges — equal match fee, a cash-rich franchise league, and a broad-based, even if rudimentary, domestic set-up, where new names are cropping up who could become India’s future post Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, who have carried the burden for the last few years after Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. The spot belonging to Shafali Verma, part of a project of regeneration of women’s cricket, has many more contenders now like Pratika Rawal, and Trisha will begin pushing for the opening position soon. Women’s cricket is seeing aspiration meet a nurturing system. With franchise facilities and local academies mushrooming for girls, the future can only be bright. Beating Australia to a seniors crown remains the final frontier for Indian women. Trisha & Co showed that that too can be done.
