NEW DELHI: Former captain Sourav Ganguly has lauded women’s cricket’s substantial growth in India, asserting that it may have surpassed the advancements witnessed in the men's team since 2019.
Ganguly pointed to key factors, including the establishment of the Women's Premier League, the presence of stellar talents such as Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, and the commendable team performances on the global stage.
"The progress the women's cricket in India has made since 2019 is, perhaps, more than the men's team. The men's team has always been very good," remarked Ganguly, highlighting the team's journey from winning the Asia Cup to their notable displays in World Cups and securing the runners-up position in the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
Ganguly commended individual players, recognizing the impressive growth of stars like Harmanpreet, Smriti, Richa, Jemimah, and Shafali. The former captain also acknowledged the crucial role played by Renuka Singh Thakur, the young pacer who has risen to the occasion following Jhulan Goswami's retirement.
"When Jhulan (Goswami) finished, we thought where the next seamer would come from, and then Renuka (Singh) Thakur has developed over the last three years. So, that's the best thing about women's cricket," stated Ganguly, emphasising the positive trend in nurturing new talent.
In his role as the Director of Cricket at the Delhi Capitals, Ganguly expressed satisfaction with the team's strategic moves in the recent Women's Premier League auction.
1/10:3rd T20I: India grab consolation victory against England
AP
2/10:India beat England
<p>India sealed a five-wicket win over England in a low-scoring third and final Women's T20 International at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. </p>PTI
3/10:Amanjot Kaur
<p>Playing for the first time in the series, Amanjot Kaur hit Sophie Ecclestone for three fours in the penultimate over to seal the win. </p>PTI
4/10:Consolation victory
<p>The consolation victory helped India finish the three-match series with a 1-2 scoreline ahead the one-off Test against the visitors from December 14. </p>AP
5/10:Finishing off the chase
<p>Having taken two wickets in the final over of England's innings earlier, Amanjot did well to finish off the 127-run chase with one over left. </p>AP
6/10:Richa Ghosh
<p>Needing 11 off the final two overs, India lost Richa Ghosh to Sophie Ecclestone, before Amanjot took them home comfortably. </p>AP
7/10:Smriti Mandhana
<p>India lost Shafali Verma (6) early, but Smriti Mandhana (48) and Jemimah Rodrigues (29) added 57 for the second wicket to put India's chase on track. </p>PTI
8/10:Shreyanka Patil
<p>Earlier, powered by their rookie spinners Shreyanka Patil (3-19) and Saika Ishaque (3-22), India shot out England for merely 126 in 20 overs. </p>ANI
9/10:Heather Knight
<p>Left reeling at 76/8 in the 15th over, after a collapse saw them lose 4 wickets for 9 runs in 20 balls, England skipper Heather Knight slammed a half-century. </p>AP
10/10:Much-needed win
<p>It was India's first win at home against England since March 2018 and before this win, they had suffered five straight defeats in the shortest format. </p>PTIHe highlighted the significance of acquiring players like Ashwani Kumari, praising her dual capabilities of power-hitting and effective bowling. Ganguly also discussed the team's prudent decision to secure a backup wicket-keeper and the acquisition of Australian cricketer Annabel Sutherland for Rs 2 crore in the player auction.
As women's cricket continues its upward trajectory, Ganguly's observations underscore the sport's growing impact and prominence in India, setting the stage for a bright future.
(With inputs from PTI)
