“For me you are already the champions. Such performances have to be documented in golden letters,” said former India all-rounder Kapil Dev in a message to the Indian women cricketers who lost a pulsating final to England.
The momentous day at Lord’s in 1983 had changed the face of Indian cricket. None had backed Kapil’s team. None had faith in Mithali’s girls either. Kapil’s team wrote history. Mithali’s emergent team nearly emulated the feat.
“Reaching the final itself was a big achievement. They overcame the best of teams and set new benchmarks. India winning in 1983 was fine. It was about the team. That is history. These girls travelling to Lord’s gave me goosebumps really. What a sight! It means the world to the girl child campaign in India,” Kapil heaped praise on the women cricketers.
The runner-up position at the World Cup, observed Kapil, should change the outlook of the people to girls pursuing a career in sports. “Athletics, badminton, tennis have had icons to inspire young women. But hardly 500 girls play cricket seriously. This achievement will motivate thousands to take to cricket and that to me is the greatest gain from this World Cup. Every girl who wants to play professional sport would be treated with respect now,” he stressed.
A doting father, Kapil added, “Our daughters tackle the pressures at school so well that they breeze through when they go to university. I have a daughter and I understand the anxiety of a parent when it comes to letting their daughter become a sportsperson. They shackle the girls from the time they are born. But look at (PV) Sindhu, Sania (Mirza), Saina (Nehwal), Sakshi (Malik), Deepa (Malik), Dipa (Karmakar). They have triggered a revolution in their sport. Mithali’s team too has won the hearts of the nation. I know that not every daughter will become a champion but I am sure the mindset of parents is bound to change now. The next generation of girls will receive whole-hearted support so that it will be more athletic and strong when competing at the world level.”
Describing the cricketers’ journey as “painful and joyful” Kapil noted, “It is painful because of the hardships they endure at home and in the public for wanting to play. It becomes joyful when they emerge shining role models. Honestly, I was not a keen follower of women’s cricket but I am their biggest fan now. I have lot of respect for these kids. I am sure, after watching the women’s cricket team, people will pray to be blessed with daughters. Hats off to them.”