Once upon a time, (Women’s Cricket in India 2025) cricket was a gentleman’s game. Women swung bats too but in the shadows, on village grounds with barely any spotlight.
Fast forward to 2025: the India Women’s Cricket Team became World Champions, sending the country into celebration mode.
Women’s cricket is no longer a side story – It is now a revolution! It’s grit, passion and a story of resilience perfectly aligned with the spirit of Millennials and Gen-Z.
This blog is about the rise of women’s cricket, its history, the Indian journey and why 2025 is a milestone we will never forget.
Women’s Cricket History: How It All Began
The history of women’s cricket started much earlier than most people believe. Women picked up the bat as early as the 1700s, playing friendly matches in England.
For decades, these games were casual, unorganized and barely recognized. But the love for the sport kept growing.
| 15 August 1745: A match took place between “eleven maids of Bramley” and “eleven maids of Hambledon” in Surrey, England. |
The turning point came in 1934, when the first women’s Test match was played between Australia and England. That single match planted a flag – women were here to play, compete and win.
Why this mattered:
- Women stepped into competitive cricket.
- The world started taking note.
- Formal structures began forming.
This was the start of a long journey from grassy villages to global tournaments.
Rise of Women’s Cricket: Women’s Cricket History
Women’s cricket began quietly in the early 18th century. The first recorded women’s cricket match was played in England in 1745, long before anyone imagined it would become a global sensation.
| 1926: The Women’s Cricket Association (WCA) founded in England — marking the start of organised women’s cricket. |
By 1958, the International Women’s Cricket Council (IWCC) was formed to give structure to the sport. But visibility was low, funding was scarce and matches barely made the news.
Still, these early cricketers weren’t just playing – they were building a legacy brick by brick.
Women’s Cricket in India – How It All Started
Women’s cricket in India began in the early 1970s, powered by grassroots passion instead of systems.
The Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) was founded in 1973 and the Indian women’s team played its first international match in 1976 against the West Indies.
- No big salaries.
- No powerful broadcasters.
- No celebrity status.
Just pure love for the sport.
Players traveled unreserved in trains, stitched their own kits and even brought food from home.
Yet, they continue because cricket was more than a game – it was identity.
Rise of Women’s Cricket: When the World Took Notice
The turning point didn’t happen overnight. It came through decades of sweat, sacrifice and stubbornness.
Early Spark: The 1973-1997 Phase
The Women’s World Cup began in 1973 – yes, two years before the men’s World Cup. But the world barely watched.
Still, the foundation was set:
- More nations began promoting women’s cricket.
- Local clubs started building teams.
- Young girls saw representation.
It wasn’t big yet… but the quiet revolution had begun.
| 1969: The first women’s cricket club in India, called “The Albees”, was founded in Mumbai. |
1997 Women’s Cricket World Cup in India
This was the first major moment of visibility for women’s cricket in India. The final between Australia and New Zealand at Eden Gardens drew over 80,000 fans, proving interest was real.
The world just needed to pay attention.
| Women’s Cricket in India 2025: India women reached the World Cup final for the first time (lost to Australia). |
BCCI+ICC Era: A New Age
In 2006, the BCCI took over women’s cricket in India and ICC brought the global sport under its umbrella.
Immediate changes followed:
- Better structure
- More funding
- International tours
- Skill-based coaching
Suddenly, women’s cricket wasn’t a side note – it had a seat at the table.
2017 World Cup – The Breakthrough
India reached the final of the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup and though they narrowly missed the trophy, they won a nation’s heart.
Search trends exploded.
- Girls started carrying bats instead of dolls.
- Mithali Raj became a household name.
This was the moment women’s cricket became mainstream.
WPL + Big Money = Real Growth
In 2023, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) launched one of the richest women’s leagues globally.
Impact?
- Players got paid what they deserved.
- Young talent received a platform.
- Women’s cricket began generating massive viewership.
This changed the narrative from “can they?” to “of course they can.”
2025 – India Becomes World Champions
In 2025. The Indian women’s cricket team conquered the world, lifting the prestigious trophy and rewriting sporting history.
Not just a victory – it’s a cultural reset.
India officially became the home of world-beating women cricketers.
That moment told every girl watching: “You belong here too.”
Indian Women’s Cricket Team: Achievements Worth Talking About
- World Champions (2025)
- Multiple World Cup finals appearances.
- Olympic + Commonwealth podium finishes.
- Highest viewership for women’s cricket globally.
- WPL attracting global icons and international talent.
- Role models like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana inspiring the next generation.
These aren’t just achievements – They’re proof that Indian women cricketers are now icons.
CRICKET MEETS CULTURE: Women’s Sport Empowerment in India
The rise of women’s cricket isn’t just about sport – it has fueled a cultural movement.
Today:
- The school funds girls’ cricket development.
- Parents enrol their daughters in sports academics.
- Brands sign major female players
- Women athletes are celebrated in the media.
Cricket isn’t just giving women a career – it is giving them freedom, identity and confidence.
| 1958: The International Women’s Cricket Council (IWCC) was formed to bring many countries’ women’s cricket under one umbrella. |
Conclusion
The journey of women’s cricket is a story of persistence:
- From scattered informal games to global tournaments
- From overlooked players to brand ambassadors.
- From barely-heard cheers to roaring stadiums.
- From dreamers to world champions.
This isn’t just a sports story, it is in fact a cultural shift. It is like an ambition meeting opportunity. It is about girls stepping up and saying – “Move aside, we have got this!”
The rise of women’s cricket is more than history – it’s the beginning of a powerful new chapter and India is leading from the front – bat raised, head high, champions of the world.
Read More : Women’s Day 2025: From Home to History: How Women Shaped Our World.
Air Pollution 2025: How to Stay Safe When The Air Turns Bad.