Indian cricket is in the news, not like it ever needs an excuse but because of the high profile launch of IPL. Crores of rupees have been pumped into the game. Many have concluded that Indian cricket hasn’t had this good ever before. But what many experts forget is that Women’s cricket is also part of Team India. The general health of the game in India cannot be judged on the success of Men Cricket alone, which after all is still only one half of the game in India, albeit a very significant part nonetheless.
The general health of the women’s game in India, the present showing of the Indian team, the prospects for and young and promising cricketers, all these areas questions which the general public are not in lieu with owing to various factors.
To answer these questions, I met up with ‘Mrs. Surekha Bhandare’ who in her career spanning almost 4 decades is now considered a scholar in women’s cricket and is considered one of the best administrators of the women’s cricket.
Although past 50, Mrs. Surekha Bhandare’s enthusiasm and love of the game remains undiminished. For a change she had some positive things about the game. As she puts it, after years of struggle, women’s team has started to look up after the merger of the Women’s Cricket Association with the BCCI, which has brought along with lot of opportunities and infrastructure facilities apart from the strong financial backing.
When asked about the benefits of the merger she said, “It is the economic independence that has encouraged us and opened up new doors for the game. It has meant that it can support a lot more aspiring crickets, although it’s still not a full time career option for the girls, but if the players are good enough they can get a job with Indian Railway’s. And if the girls are playing for the university they also get a daily retainer ship amount between 300 and 500 rupees daily apart from other expenses. Also, the opportunities for the girls in being involved in other part of the game like umpiring, scoring or even coaching and administration are increasing every day. All one needs is an undying love for the game, but she is also quick to point out that studies is still are given priority.”
Her only regret over the years has been that apathy of the sponsors and the government in supporting women’s cricket and their step motherly treatment in favour of the male version. She has often debated defended passionately that there is nothing different between men and women’s cricket; be it the skill level, the motivation and hard work apart from weight of the ball.
“The BCCI’s women’s wing has been entrusted with the taking the women game to the next level and we have already taken steps in this direction. The first sign of a healthy sport is the numbers of children taking up the sport. Even today you can see more girls practising and honing their skills in their dream to represent India”, she says with proudly.
She is also very excite about the current flock of players in the Indian Team, with our Captain Mitali Raj, considered among the best in the world and Indian Faster Jhulan Goswani renowned as the women’s cricket’s Brett Lee.
When enquired about 20-20 cricket she replied, “20-20 is certainly the way forward and it is not long when we will see a 20-20 competition for the women, and may be a league to go along with it, but before there is a lot to be done and our immediate concern in to help India win the 2009 Cricket World Cup.”
Her dream for the Women cricket is to give the opportunity for the best players to play for India and ultimately make India proud at the international level. With women’s cricket in such god hands things are certainly going to get from good to great and is sure to grow strength to strength.
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