Five developments that changed Indian women cricket for good in 2022

Apart from Smriti Mandhana’s class, Harmanpreet Kaur’s composure and Richa Ghosh’s explosiveness, Indian women cricket has many more reasons to bookmark the year 2022. As New Year is just a few nights away, we look back at five such developments which provided a much-needed stride to the Indian Women cricket team.

CWG 2022 Final:

In an inaugural commonwealth 2022 participation, Indian women’s cricket team stormed into the finals of the multi-sports event by beating England in a thrilling semi. Despite brilliant batting from Harmanpreet Kaur (Harmanpreet Kaur (65 off 43; 4×7, 6×2), Team India had to settle with SILVER as Australia defeated Women in Blue in the summit-clash.

However, Harmanpreet Kaur-led side won hearts with their stellar performance throughout the competition, and stamped the authority of Indian cricket at global stage.

Announcement of Women’s IPL in 2023:

With Women’s IPL, Indian Women Cricket team has got a much-needed shot in the arm. Indian women cricket has long waited for its much-needed due, but 2022 was certainly a great year for the girls.

Sourav Ganguly, then BCCI president announced the plan to host Women’s IPL, and soon reports received the official confirmation from the BCCI. In October this year the BCCI shared with its members – the state associations – a plan for the WIPL, which was agreed at the board’s Annual General Meeting.

Pay-equity policy:

2022 is undoubtedly the beginning of a new era for the Indian Women’s Cricket team. In a significant decision, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in October announced a “pay equity policy”, stating that its centrally-contracted men and women players would get the same match fees.

Accordingly, women’s players will now be paid Rs. 15 Lakh per Test match, Rs. 6 Lakh for a One-Day International (ODI), and Rs. 3 Lakh for a T20I. Till now, they were paid just Rs. 1 Lakh for a white-ball match, and Rs. 4 Lakh for a Test.

Record 7th Asia Cup title:

After an exciting Men’s Asia Cup 2022 that saw Sri Lanka ended up becoming Men’s Asian Champions, the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2022 was held from October 1 in Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Adding yet another glorious chapter to the Asia Cup, Indian Women cricket team clinched its 7th Asia Cup title in Bangladesh. However, Harmanpreet Kaur-led India crushed Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the Women’s Asia Cup 2022 final to reclaim the title for a record time in their history.

Clean sweep in England:

Team India had clinched a three-match ODI series against England by winning the first two games, but the final game was special for all the Indian cricket fans. Bowling legend Jhulan Goswami was playing her last international game, and Women in Blue ensured a perfect farewell for the retiring veteran.

While defending a paltry 169, legendary Goswami picked two wickets while Renuka Singh and Rajeshwari Gayakwad got four and two, respectively. England suffered a top-order batting collapse to be all out for 153 in 43.3 overs. The last time the Indian women won an ODI series in England was in 1999 when they triumphed 2-1.

Team India standing tall behind Deepti Sharma amid Mankad dismissal:

Harmanpreet Kaur proved mettle of her captaincy as she backed her all-rounder, while the English cricket fraternity slammed the Indian cricket team after Sharma ran out England’s Charlie Dean standing outside the crease at the non-striker’s end at Lord’s on September 24. 

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“Well, to be honest I thought you would be asking about the first 9 wickets, as they were not easy to take. It’s a part of the game, I don’t think we have done anything new. It shows your awareness, what batters are doing. I will back my players, she hasn’t done something outside the rules,” Kaur said post-match.

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