Improved facilities
Since then, there have been times when the team have been given prominence, and though spectator interest remains minimal, the BCCI taking over the running of the sport has, at least, improved facilities. A World Cup win, many experts feel, could do for the side what the 1983 win had done for the men’s team — perhaps not in that measure — but in terms of raising the profile of women’s cricket in the public eye as a legitimate sport, rather than something that is scoffed at or, at best, patronised.

Edulji says that the coverage given to women’s cricket has improved drastically over the last two years. “Earlier, only in centres such as Nagpur — away from the metros — was there any coverage. The situation is much better now and it is encouraging to see the hype around the team’s departure for the World Cup.”

Sudha Shah, the coach of the current team, believes her side is well equipped to win the ultimate prize in Australia, with a perfect balance between experience and youth. “Women start earlier, and there are a lot of us who made their debuts at 15-16. But other responsibilities start coming to the fore, and it becomes increasingly difficult to devote our lives to the sport,” Shah says, adding that Indian players usually peak at 28-29 and fade away as they enter the thirties.
Fitness is obviously one of the crucial factors for success, and for the first time the team have included a male fielding coach. “He has been very helpful, and the girls have really started concentrating more on fielding. But a female coach would always be in a better position to understand the limitations of a woman on the field,” Shah says.

... contd.