Indian Women outrun much hyped Men

Eleven Professional Indian Cricketers who have all the resources at their disposal, a dedicated support staff & years of international experience playing test cricket and still Indian Men Cricket team were routed by England at Oval. The reason for disappointment is not just that India lost the match, it is the fact that the men team went down without a fight.

On the flip side, the Indian Women Cricket team. A team with least of support and no financial security. An XI which comprised of 8 debutants, and the remaining 3 played a test match 8 years back. A squad in which players have to work a different day job to sustain their family. Jobs range from a railway employee to a managerial head at a small company unlike their Male counterparts who are busy doing fair & lovely endorsements thanks to the fat paychecks and central contracts. After all the hardships the team had to go through to even play this match, it’s astounding and at the same time admirable that Wormsley was marked blue on August 16. The win against a ‘professional’ England team will go down as one of the crucial events in Indian Women Cricket history.

August 13, 2014. Mithali Raj the leader of Indian women contingent won the toss and confidently decided to bowl first on a seaming track. With majority of Indian bowlers bowling for the first time in English conditions, tension would have been high in the dressing room. The level headed Mithali and the peppy Niranjana didn’t let the morale go down as the girls formed a huddle before going to attack.

Goswami and Niranjana opened the bowling, keeping it very straight and tight from the start. As England were made to toil hard for each run the pressure mounted up which resulted in a wicket in 4th over. Wickets kept falling as Nirangana Nagrajan didn’t give even slightest of breathing space to the England bats-women.Taylor tried to hold wicket from one end, but none of the other bats-women gave her support. Ultimately England were bowled out for a total of 92 runs in less than 45 overs, Niranjana being the highlight of the innings securing a total of 4 wickets. An intimidating bowling performance in the start of the tour meant, Indians would not be taken lightly.

Now the onus was on Indian bats-women to perform on a seaming track in alien conditions. MDT Kamini and S Mandhana, the Indian openers stuck to their task to build a strong base so that india could seize the chance and secure a sizeable lead. But the top ranked English team weren’t going to go down without showing resolve, as J.L. Gunn broke through the opening pair. England clasped the chance with both hands taking 6 wickets in a span of 14 runs, Cross and Gunn being the two main terminators. Goswami and Niranjana chipped in with pivotal runs down the order to take India’s run tally to 114 and a minimal but critical lead of 22 runs.

England 2nd innings was going to be crucial as pitch had eased up quite a bit. The match was in a balanced situation, with India holding a slight edge. And early breakthrough by Goswami upped the Indian spirits. All the advantage that India had with first innings lead was soon overcome by Beaumont. But this Indian team was playing with a purpose, wickets tally went from 3 to 6 in a span of 2 runs. By the time England reached the 100 run mark, and a target of around 100 to 150 looked most likely. But Gunn had other plans in mind, after a scintillating performance by ball, she impressed with the bat too scoring an unbeaten 62. The scorecard read 202 runs under England’s name, as the English team finally got out setting a target of 181 runs to India Women National Cricket team and a chance for Indian girls to rule the headlines all over India if not World.

The Indian openers once again had a solid opening partnership of 76 runs. As it is rightly said well begun is job half done, the golden win looked in sight. Yet again England team bounced back with 4 quick wickets before stumps. At the end of 3rd Day’s play India were 119 for 4, the experienced Indian captain Mithali Raj and the debutante Shikha Pandey still new at the crease. Each player of the Indian team must have had slept through their longest nights as next day’s session was going to be the decisive one. At the start of day 4, India needed to score 62 runs with the available 6 wickets. Those wickets were never required as the batting duo maintained calm and composure to take India across the target line. As Pandey scored the winning runs, the girls ran to the field led by Niranjana. The scene at Wormsley were a view to watch, as the girls kissed the stumps, made Usain Bolt poses, formed their customary huddles and lifted their captain. The captain who has absorbed the pressure, the woman of the day.

This win may end up being a one-off victory or it may start a winning spree for India. But what this win does ensure is a fair chance for India Women Cricket team, they deserve regular fixtures with best International sides and to play regular test matches. They have earned their place at newspaper headline column. They have justified and earned the right to ask for central contracts. The richest cricket board needs to stand up and take notice of their own cricket team. A specialist support staff, decent pays and a balanced international fixture calendar will go a long way in establishing Women’s cricket in India. Lets hope this match provides the requisite spark.

All in All, ES team stands up to congratulate the Indian team and says kudos to the Indian girls. With ODI’s still to come who knows what might happen, but at this point of time Indian Women deserve to live their moment of glory.