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The Indian women cricket team's win was not just a title, but a cultural reset that shattered old biases and redefined what our female athletes are capable of achieving.
The viral social media meme- the disdainful line from Chak De! India, 'Arey, kahaan yeh chakla-belan chalaane waali ladkiyan...shorts pehen ke hockey khelti phirengi!' was far more than just a quick joke during the Indian women cricket team's shaky patch at the World Cup. It was a reflection of the deep-seated disbelief and subtle sexism that has haunted women's sports, especially cricket in India for decades and a means to put out our hidden bias openly in the guise of humor. However, as the meme tried to dampen their spirits, Harmanpreet Kaur and her squad provided a solid answer by lifting the ICC World Cup 2025 trophy, shattering decades of doubt and indifference. As an ardent sports fan myself whose expression of interest in the game often elicits smirks and stupid questions, this triumph feels personal and profoundly validating as a woman!
Growing up, I often heard stories of how the women’s team faced indifference, travelled in unreserved train compartments, and played at minimal facilities while fighting for recognition and compensation. I remember being particularly fascinated by actress and presenter Mandira Bedi’s financial support to the squad, but also aghast to know that a private individual was sponsoring the team in a nation that equates this sport with religion! Things however changed with the rise of unmatched talents of Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami and World Cup outings in 2005 and 2017, that steadily captured the hearts and attention of the nation, paving the way for some reforms and respect!
Also Read: ICC Women's World Cup 2025: Our women in blue secure the first ever world title!
Team India's quest for the 2025 crown was the combination of the current team’s skillsets and the grit and resilience passed onto them by their predecessors. After a promising start, their campaign stumbled with the team facing 3 consecutive defeats in the crucial group stage. Critics and keyboard warriors on social media took sharp jibes, but the team remained focused and re-grouped. Stars like opener Shafali Verma, who delivered explosive innings, and the all-round brilliance of Player of the Tournament Deepti Sharma, ensured every game produced a new hero, thus restoring the belief. However, it was the semi-final game against the mighty Australia that finally convinced a billion people that their success wasn't just a fluke, but a strong indication of the fact that they were champions in the making! To give context to those who don't follow women's cricket closely, the Australian women’s team is not just strong- they are often cited as the greatest force in the history of the sport, eclipsing even their formidable men's side. Fans and experts compare their ongoing run to the invincibility of the West Indies side of the 70s and 80s or the Australian men's team in the late 90s and 2000s. The yellow brigade is quite the standard by which all other teams are measured and the win against them in a high-stakes knockout match was utterly validating, one that proved to be a cultural re-set!
Then came the finals on Sunday against the Proteas, and the scenes I witnessed were truly heartening as a sports fan. The shift in national focus was unlike anything I had seen before. Every window I peeked into, every screen I glanced at, be it at home, in a shop, or in an office - looked and sounded like Team India. The DY Patil Stadium erupted to a packed house, and the support wasn't just loud, it was emotionally invested througout. Legends like Sachin Tendulkar and former captain Rohit Sharma, among other high-profile personalities had swarmed to Navi Mumbai to support the Women in Blue. It was the sight of hard-won visibility, a sign that the years of struggle were over, and the team had finally claimed its deserving stake in the country’s spotlight! The events that unfolded next went on to re-write the narrative of cricket, especially for women in our country. Harmanpreet's t-shirt, featuring the phrase, ‘Cricket is ‘everyone's’ striking out ‘a gentleman’s’ game, symbolized the breaking of old biases and the dawn of a new, inclusive era!
For me, as a woman who loves sport, the win is deeply personal as every run scored and every wicket taken will contribute to the dreams of countless young girls across the country who may have previously been discouraged from pursuing the sport. Just like the 1983 victory inspired the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, or the 2011 triumph inspired Shubman Gill, the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup win will inspire the next generation of female athletes - the future Richa Ghoshes, Jemimah Rodrigues', and Harmanpreet Kaurs, to believe that the highest level of sporting glory is not only possible but expected!
Did you watch the action live? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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