It was not lack of talent but an inability to cope with pressure in the decisive moments of the Women’s World Cup final that led to India’s loss. However, there is much that the team can be proud of. It beat all the three ex-Champions — six-time winner Australia, three-time winner England and one-time winner New Zealand — en route to the final. Mithali Raj, the second-highest run-getter in the championship who also broke the record for most runs in ODIs, led by example. The team’s greatest contribution is that it has raised the status of the women’s cricket team to a level on a par with the men’s. If women cricketers get more opportunities to play Test cricket and have their own premium league, it will give a big momentum to the game.
Y.G. Chouksey,
Pune
Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami were the only players we were aware of till now. However, the grand show put up by our women’s cricket team made us all sit glued to our televisions on Sunday evening. Given the recent trend, players will surely be rewarded financially and otherwise by the government and the board. While such gestures of appreciation are welcome, what the team needs more is better infrastructure to groom future players and well-organised leagues and tournaments — similar to the platform provided to the men’s team.
Chirag Ahuja,
Mohali