Over the years, your support has made Women’s Web the leading resource for women in India. Now, it is our turn to ask, how can we make this even more useful for you? Please take our short 5 minute questionnaire – your feedback is important to us!
Women's Cricket brings no fame or fortune with it - as yet. Could this actually be the purest version of game, played for the game's own sake?
Women’s Cricket brings no fame or fortune with it – as yet. Could this actually be the purest version of game, played for the game’s own sake?
Cricket has ceased to be a Gentleman’s Game for quite a while now. I’m wondering if they should coin a new tag line after Harmanpreet’s performance, maybe call it ‘Cricket – the passionate woman’s game’? Let’s face it, the boys are rolling in money, glamour and superstardom while the girls get chiller-money (comparatively), zero glamour and slim pickings at stardom. Which is why it amazes me when I see women playing cricket and I’m left wondering – why do they play and what do they play for?
The only plausible answer would be love for the game and the passion to excel in it. In today’s time that’s just being plain insane, isn’t it?
Before I wax eloquent on women’s cricket, let me admit to my double standards – I have never watched women’s cricket and were it not for Harmanpreet’s exemplary knock I would have continued to ignore it. But that’s exactly what got me thinking: what drives people like her to pick a game where a billion people will tune in to see the men play and maybe a thousand will turn up to watch you?
I used to be a cricket-lover some eons ago but the match fixing scandal broke my young heart and I swore never to get emotionally invested in the game though I have not been entirely successful. Still, it is always with a cynical eye that I watch matches now unlike the frenzied excitement I would work up during the good old days. I’m hoping women’s cricket will change that.
“Love what you do and if it fulfills you the rest will not matter” seems to ring true for these gifted women. They fight considerable odds to play the game even though the chances of finding fame and fortune at the end of the long, dusty and forgotten road is rather bleak. Passion for the game probably trumps everything and one can only imagine them watching the near-God status their counterparts in men’s cricket get with much amusement.
Are Harmanpreet’s cover drives any less skilled, can she not hammer out sixes with the same frequency as the men? The answer is obviously no but unfortunately, sweaty, fully clothed women somehow get second billing.
Indians watch cricket with hope, disgust, and awe and sometimes for pure entertainment. The relationship with the game is still very much on but there is always this nagging suspicion that we are being manipulated and our emotions are being sold to the highest bidder. Women’s cricket can hopefully reverse this and not fall prey to the demons that plague the popular version.
Here’s raising a toast to these talented and passionate women who have taken over the Gentle(man)’s Game and have showered it with the purest of loves i.e. “Play the game for the game’s own sake.”
Top image via Youtube
Roopa Prabhakar describes herself as a mother, a working woman, a closet feminist and blogger. read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
If you want to get back to work after a break, here’s the ultimate guide to return to work programs in India from tech, finance or health sectors - for women just like you!
Last week, I was having a conversation with a friend related to personal financial planning and she shared how she had had fleeting thoughts about joining work but she was apprehensive to take the plunge. She was unaware of return to work programs available in India.
She had taken a 3-year long career break due to child care and the disconnect from the job arena that she spoke about is something several women in the same situation will relate to.
More often than not, women take a break from their careers to devote time to their kids because we still do not have a strong eco-system in place that can support new mothers, even though things are gradually changing on this front.
A married woman has to wear a sari, sindoor, mangalsutra, bangles, anklets, and so much more. What do these ornaments have to do with my love, respect, and commitment to my husband?
They: Are you married? Me: Yes They: But You don’t look like it Me: (in my Mind) Why should I?
Why is being married not enough for a woman, and she needs to look married too? I am tired of such comments in the nearly four years of being married.
I believe that anything that is forced is not right. I must have a choice. I am a living human, not a puppet. And I am not stopping anyone by not following any tradition. You are free to do whatever you like to do. But do not force others. It’s depressing.