New Delhi, Sep 29 (NationPress) Renowned cricketer Sachin Tendulkar views the approaching 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup as a pivotal moment for the sport, one that has the potential to transform the realm of women’s cricket worldwide. This prestigious event kicks off with India facing off against Sri Lanka at the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Stadium on Tuesday.

Tendulkar reminisced about how witnessing India’s 1983 ODI World Cup victory and serving as a ball boy during the 1987 tournament fueled his aspiration to represent the nation.

“At just 10 years old, the images of players racing with stumps and bails, including Mohinder Amarnath, who was pivotal in both the semi-final and final, and the team triumphantly hoisting that shiny trophy, are forever imprinted in my memory,” Tendulkar expressed in his column for the ICC on Monday.

“For me, it transcended a mere cricket match - it was an awakening. That victory inspired a whole generation of young Indians to realize that dreams know no bounds. The tales from that journey, such as Kapil paaji’s legendary 175 against Zimbabwe—an innings that might not have been broadcasted but is now part of lore—remain vivid in our minds.”

“This innings epitomized more than just runs; it symbolized belief. It signaled to every boy in Mumbai’s lanes or Punjab’s villages that aspirations could be infinite. It certainly shaped my own path. Four years later, I was a ball boy at Wankhede Stadium when India faced defeat against England in the semi-final. Watching those heroes up close that day, I pledged to one day don that India jersey.”

“Now, nearly forty years later, I feel that women’s cricket in India is on the brink of its own transformative moment. The forthcoming ICC Women’s World Cup will not merely be a quest for a trophy; it will spark countless dreams. Somewhere in Moga, a young girl might be gripping her bat tighter, aspiring to mirror her idol Harmanpreet Kaur. In Sangli, another girl could be honing her skills, daring to dream like Smriti Mandhana,” he elaborated.

He praised the roles of Harmanpreet and Smriti as leading figures for women’s cricket in India. “I vividly recall Harmanpreet’s remarkable 171 against Australia in the 2017 World Cup. It was not merely an innings; it was a declaration.”

“The audacity of her strokeplay, the clarity of her thinking, and the bravery in her spirit elevated women’s cricket in India to unprecedented heights. I believe that marked the moment when many began to view women’s cricket as more than an afterthought—it took center stage.”

“Smriti, too, has emerged as a pivotal and seasoned player of this squad. Her batting exudes a silken grace, with a natural flow in her timing. Her knack for finding gaps with such elegance reminds me of the finest players in the sport.”

“That record-setting 50-ball century against Australia was not just thrilling—it was a powerful message that Indian women can excel at the highest echelons. She is not merely an elite batter but a beacon of modern India’s confidence,” he added.

Tendulkar further asserts that India’s quest for its first World Cup title holds significance beyond mere statistics. “This World Cup is greater than individuals, larger than any single team. It represents a movement, a transformation in our perception of the game. For far too long, women’s cricket has remained overshadowed, despite the immense talent it cultivates.”

“Now, the sport is poised to break down barriers—whether of gender, perception, or accessibility. The little girl with a plastic bat in a small town must feel that the world is open to her, just as I felt after witnessing a triumphant Team India in 1983,” Tendulkar wrote.

“As the women in blue step onto the field in this World Cup, they will represent not just India in a sporting contest. They will carry the hopes of millions, the potential to inspire a generation, and the ability to redefine what is achievable.”

“Just as 1983 granted Indian cricket a new identity, I believe this World Cup can do the same for women’s cricket in India. Perhaps, years from now, a little girl watching this World Cup will say: That was the day my journey commenced.”

The legendary cricketer concluded by commending the progress made for women’s cricket in recent years. “The Women’s Premier League has been a revolutionary force. It has established the platform, visibility, and financial security that generations of women cricketers could only dream of.”

“Much credit goes to Jay Shah, who, during his tenure as BCCI secretary, advocated for equal match fees for men and women and laid the groundwork for the WPL. These measures may seem administrative on paper, but they truly transform lives. They affirm to every aspiring young girl that her passion holds equal value.”

“I also wish to express gratitude to the ICC for announcing record prize money for this tournament, even exceeding what was offered for the men’s World Cup in 2023. Symbolically and practically, it conveys a powerful message—that women’s cricket deserves not just applause, but equal respect,” he concluded.