ICC post-pregnancy guidelines: Tendulkar hails 'massive boost' for women cricketers
Synopsis
The ICC's new post-pregnancy return-to-play framework — backed publicly by Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies spinner Afy Fletcher — formalises what women cricketers have long demanded: an institutional guarantee that motherhood need not end a playing career. The six-step pathway and mandatory case manager model could set a precedent for other sports governing bodies worldwide.
Key Takeaways
Sachin Tendulkar praised the ICC's post-pregnancy return-to-play guidelines launched on 23 June 2026 , calling them 'a massive boost for women cricketers worldwide.' The framework features a six-step pathway — Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return, Refine — to guide players from childbirth back to competitive cricket.
Every player will be assigned a dedicated case manager (doctor or physiotherapist) throughout pregnancy and return-to-play.
The policy guarantees player privacy : member boards cannot require pregnancy testing or control public announcements.
West Indies spinner Afy Fletcher , currently at the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup after returning from maternity, endorsed the initiative.
The guidelines form part of the ICC's 100% Cricket programme aimed at accelerating growth of the women's game.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has welcomed the International Cricket Council's (ICC) newly unveiled post-pregnancy return-to-play guidelines, calling them a landmark step forward for women's cricket and athlete welfare. The guidelines, launched on Monday, 23 June 2026, form part of the ICC's broader 100% Cricket programme aimed at accelerating the growth of the women's game.
Tendulkar's Reaction
Reacting to the ICC's announcement via a post on X, Tendulkar described the move as 'exceptional batting by the ICC.' He wrote: 'Empowerment in sport is about ensuring that a player's journey, in all phases, is supported with the right framework. Seeing the transition from 'choosing between' to 'doing both' is proof that we are playing the game the right way. A massive boost for the future of women cricketers worldwide.'
The endorsement from one of cricket's most celebrated figures adds significant weight to the ICC's initiative, which has already drawn widespread praise from across the global cricket community.
The Six-Step Framework
Central to the new policy is a structured six-step pathway — Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine — designed to guide female cricketers through post-childbirth recovery, medical assessments, progressive training, cricket-specific conditioning, and eventual reintegration into competitive cricket.
The guidelines also recommend that every player be assigned a dedicated case manager — typically a doctor or physiotherapist — to coordinate medical care and support throughout pregnancy and the return-to-play process. Regular review meetings at key stages, including during pregnancy, post-childbirth recovery, and reintegration into cricket, have also been proposed.
Player-Centred Approach and Privacy
The ICC has emphasised a multidisciplinary support model involving medical experts, physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches, psychologists, dietitians, coaches, and family support networks. The framework explicitly underlines the importance of player privacy, stating that decisions regarding public pregnancy announcements should remain solely with the player and that member boards should not require pregnancy testing.
This player-first stance marks a meaningful shift in how cricket's governing body approaches the intersection of professional sport and personal life — an area that has historically received little formal attention.
Voices From the Field
West Indies leg-spinner Afy Fletcher, who returned to international cricket after becoming a mother and is currently playing in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, also endorsed the initiative. Fletcher said the guidelines allow players the opportunity to have a family and continue pursuing their cricketing ambitions — a combination that was, until recently, rarely supported by formal institutional frameworks.
Broader Significance
The move comes as more female cricketers across the world are choosing to start families during their active playing careers. The ICC believes the guidelines will help member boards create environments where motherhood and elite-level cricket can coexist, enabling more women to remain in the game while making informed choices about their careers and personal lives.
With the women's game expanding rapidly — in terms of broadcast reach, franchise competitions, and player contracts — institutional support structures such as these are increasingly seen as essential to long-term growth and retention of talent.
Point of View
Athletics, and tennis have had comparable protections for years — but its arrival in cricket is still significant. The six-step pathway and mandatory case manager are operationally sound; the real test is whether member boards, particularly those in South Asia where women's contracts remain thin, will implement them with the same rigour as their wealthier counterparts. Tendulkar's endorsement guarantees visibility, but visibility without enforcement mechanisms is just optics. The privacy clause banning mandatory pregnancy testing is the most quietly radical element here, and the one most likely to face resistance in conservative cricket cultures.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ICC's post-pregnancy return-to-play guidelines?
The ICC's post-pregnancy return-to-play guidelines, launched on 23 June 2026, are a comprehensive framework to help female cricketers safely resume competitive cricket after childbirth. The policy includes a six-step pathway, a dedicated case manager for each player, and multidisciplinary support teams.
What did Sachin Tendulkar say about the ICC guidelines?
Sachin Tendulkar posted on X calling the initiative 'exceptional batting by the ICC' and described it as 'a massive boost for the future of women cricketers worldwide.' He praised the shift from players having to choose between motherhood and sport to being able to do both.
What is the six-step pathway in the ICC framework?
The six steps are Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return, and Refine. They are designed to take a player through post-childbirth recovery, medical assessments, progressive physical training, cricket-specific conditioning, and eventual return to competition.
How does the policy protect player privacy?
The ICC guidelines state that decisions about public pregnancy announcements rest solely with the player. Member boards are explicitly prohibited from requiring pregnancy testing, marking a significant player-rights protection.
Which cricketers have supported the ICC's initiative?
Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies leg-spinner Afy Fletcher have publicly endorsed the guidelines. Fletcher, who returned to international cricket after becoming a mother and is playing in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, said the policy allows players to have a family while continuing their cricketing careers.
