New Delhi, Nov 20 (NationPress) Shyam Sharma, director of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), expressed that India's victory in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup marks a pivotal change, similar to how the 1983 triumph revolutionized men's cricket. He stated, “This is monumental. Just as Sachin's legacy and the collective belief of many Indians reflect the transformation in men's cricket post-1983, this World Cup win will elevate the status of women’s cricket in India.” He further noted that this journey has been ongoing for the past five to six years, particularly during Jay Shah's tenure as BCCI Secretary, when women’s cricket received significant support.

Sharma highlighted the steps taken to enhance women’s cricket visibility, including equalizing international match fees and initiating the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which has helped more players gain recognition. “Previously, only a few players were known, but now approximately 17.5 crore people have tuned in to watch the matches.”

Sharma shared that an increasing number of parents are now contacting them, keen to enroll their daughters in cricket academies, indicating that cricket is becoming a viable career path for girls. He added, “The joy of this achievement is yet to fully resonate with us, and as our Prime Minister stated, there are more milestones ahead.” He was speaking exclusively with IANS during an event hosted by OneDice.

Delhi was represented in the Women’s ODI World Cup winning team by opener Pratika Rawal, and the national women’s selection committee includes two former players from Delhi—current chairperson Amita Sharma and Jaya Sharma. Sharma expressed hope that Delhi’s Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, would soon announce a reward for Pratika.

“It’s a significant achievement for Delhi to have Amita and Jaya on the national selection committee. The success of players like Pratika Rawal shows that our girls are excelling, and I eagerly await the day our Chief Minister acknowledges Pratika’s efforts with an award, as other states have already done,” said Sharma.

In light of the Women’s ODI World Cup victory, Sharma articulated his aspiration for equal pay in central contracts. “I dream of a day when female players receive the same central contract fees as their male counterparts.”

“In the next decade, I envision mixed teams forming in various tournaments—not just under BCCI or ICC but in external competitions, where mixed-gender teams will become the norm, making the competition even fiercer.”

Delhi has emerged as a crucial center for the advancement of women’s cricket, and Sharma credited President Rohan Jaitley for the positive developments. “We have been proactive. Rohan insisted on providing dedicated resources for the women’s team, ensuring they have access to quality facilities and accommodations.”

“We believe that enhancing infrastructure for female players is vital for the progress of Delhi cricket. Our 110 clubs receive a subsidy of INR 2.5 lakh annually, and teams fielding women’s squads receive an additional INR 1 lakh incentive. This initiative is crucial for promoting women’s cricket.”

“We have invested in women’s cricket in Delhi for an extended period. The vision of Mr. Rohan Jaitley was pivotal in launching the Delhi Premier League, which also included a women’s cricket league. Initially, there were only 85 girls participating, making it tough to form four teams.”

“However, following the establishment of the DDCA women’s cricket league, 645 girls took part. This time, our DPL auction had a pool of over 200 participants, indicating a significant rise in female engagement and the promising future of women’s cricket,” he concluded.