From Hearth to Heroics: Shattering Stereotypes in Sports
Author name:- Priyanshu Kumar
Every time a woman steps onto a cricket field, a little girl watching somewhere believes she can do it too ~ Harsha Bhogle
The hangover from last week's victory in the semi-final against Australia might not have gone away from the minds of the Indian cricket fans yet, and I am back with the story of yet another win. This win, however, came off the cricket field and it changed the course of Indian cricket forever. Test cricket is rarely played during the winter season in northern India. However, in January 2002, a Test match between the Indian and England women's teams was held in Lucknow, a landmark moment for women's cricket, as the Indian team was returning to Test cricket after six years. Six players made their debut in that match, but no one could have predicted that two of them would go on to become the face of women's cricket for the next two decades. Jhulan, coming from an orthodox family in Chakda, Bengal, developed a passion for cricket after watching the 1992 Cricket World Cup. She idolized Australian pacer Cathryn Fitzpatrick and, with the support of her coach, managed to convince her family to allow her to travel to Kolkata every day for practice.
In another part of India, a retired Indian Air Force officer started sending his son and his 5-year old daughter to a cricket academy to instill discipline in them. She began playing cricket at different levels and finally got an opportunity to represent India at the age of 19. Mithali Raj, who led India to two world cup finals and several wins over the years. In a world where cricket fans were going crazy over the behemoth, the Indian Premier League, Mithali and Jhulan scripted a chapter that motivated young girls around the country to take up cricket as a profession. In 2022, when they finally decided to call it a day, the BCCI (Board of Control of Cricket in India) announced equal pay for men and women in the central contract and it was the most appropriate farewell to their unwavering service to Indian cricket. Cricket, over the years, has seen players scoring mammoth centuries and even double centuries. There are innings that win matches for the team but only a very few can claim to have scored centuries that have shifted paradigms. During the 1983 World Cup, in a match against Zimbabwe, India was limping at 17 for 5 when Kapil Dev played a historic knock of 175 off 138 balls. His innings not only instilled belief in the Indian team that they could win the tournament but also inspired countless youngsters across the country to take up the sport. Decades later, in 2017, Harmanpreet Kaur delivered a similar knock, securing a victory for the ages while accelerating the transformation of women's cricket in India. While everyone knew about Harman's ability to hit big sixes, no one had witnessed the sheer fury she unleashed that day. Although they lost the final, that knock made people sit up, take notice, and turn heads. And with the advent of Women’s IPL in India, young girls from all corners of the country are getting an opportunity to showcase their talent and the hard work they do.
Around the same time, in the Deccan region of India, a girl was born into a Telugu-speaking family with a strong sports background. Her parents, P. V. Ramana and P. Vijaya, were both former national volleyball players. Growing up, Sindhu drew inspiration from Pullela Gopichand and set her sights on badminton. The Hindu highlighted her daily commitment, noting that she would travel 56 km each day to reach her coaching camp on time, showcasing the hard work and dedication that fueled her journey. Sindhu's relentless dedication and fighting spirit have always distinguished her. She has a remarkable ability to elevate her performance, particularly when competing against top seed Carolina Marín from Spain. The calmness and confidence she displays, even in high-pressure situations, is truly impressive.
People often say that if you want your children to excel in sports, Hyderabad is the place to be. Sania Mirza blazed a trail, and legends like Mithali Raj, Saina Nehwal, and now PV Sindhu have followed, breaking through barriers of patriarchy and stigma along the way.
At a time when society expected women to prioritize their families and homes after a certain age, Mangte Chungneijang "Mary" Kom, a mother of twins, chose to step into the boxing ring. Many questioned her decisions, but she remained steadfast in her resolve. Just when it seemed her career was over, she returned to training, and soon her punches were making headlines around the world.
The stories of Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur, Sania Mirza, Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, and Mary Kom serve as a testament to the incredible potential of women. Despite being consistently underestimated by Indian society, women have consistently demonstrated their capabilities with unwavering dedication, shattering stereotypes and inspiring generations to come. Their achievements not only highlight their personal triumphs but also underscore the evolving perception of women's roles in Indian sports and society.