Shantha Rangaswamy, is the Chairperson of the Indian Women’s Cricket Selection Committee. In her career from 1976 to 1991 the all rounder represented the country as a player and a skipper. She played 19 ODIS and 16 Tests. After retirement from her bank job, she took up writing on the game and did stints as TV commentator. On the sidelines of the current T20 women’s World Cup, Shantha shares her views on women’s cricket. Excerpts:
Should the T20 World Cup for women be held alongside with the men’s event?
Many get to watch women’s cricket when it is played alongside the men’s game. The women’s team’s win against Australia was highlighted as it was played before the men’s teams played.
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It will create awareness and induce more girls to take to the game. The most important aspect for the growth of women’s cricket in India is to enlarge the pool of players. Hopefully, with some follow-up action from the BCCI and state units, this objective can be achieved.
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Yes, there are better grounds, facilities, money, infrastructure and round-the-year help with trainers and physiotherapists.
How should the lack of parity in terms of pay and other facilities for women be addressed?
For someone who never made a paisa from cricket, pay parity is the last thing that comes to mind. All players mostly travel by air, get reasonable daily allowances and some money as remuneration. This year, the BCCI has introduced central contracts for key Indian team members. So steps are already afoot in this direction though pay parity is tough to visualise for some time to come. Rumblings have started in tennis with some men players openly stating that they should be paid more.
How do you get sponsors and spectators enthused about women’s cricket?
The standards are improving. Quite a few sixers were hit in this world cup. The more they play, the better the standards will be which in turn will bring in more sponsors and spectators.
A sport like women’s tennis, thrives on glamour and according to a survey, it is the second most watched sport on television, do you think glamour will help women’s cricket as well?
I really wouldn’t know. I believe that it is the quality of the game that matters and not glamour. The latter will not last long while a good game will leave a lingering impression.
Are you happy with the way media covers women’s cricket?
I think we got much more print media coverage during our days. It is sad, that is one of the reasons the base of women’s cricket hasn’t improved in terms of number of players.