Bengaluru, Feb 3 (PTI) – Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Smriti Mandhana emphasized the transformative impact of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on women’s cricket, stating that it has significantly altered the discourse surrounding the sport. She also expressed hope that similar success stories would emerge in other sporting disciplines.
Mandhana, who led RCB to their maiden WPL title last year, reflected on the league’s influence while unveiling the Sports-Forward Nation report on Monday.
“We used to play in leagues like the Big Bash League before WPL, and people often asked us when India would have its own league. WPL has arrived and changed the entire conversation around women’s cricket,” Mandhana stated.
With the third season of WPL set to begin on February 14, Mandhana and her team are gearing up to defend their title. She compared the WPL’s influence to that of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in men’s cricket, noting its potential to revolutionize women’s cricket in a similar fashion.
“The IPL has transformed men’s cricket, and now, witnessing the WPL’s impact on women’s cricket is amazing. Hopefully, similar inspiring stories will emerge across other sports as well,” she added.
Call for Grassroots Investment
Rajesh Menon, Chief Operating Officer of RCB, highlighted the need for stronger grassroots participation to elevate India’s sporting stature.“For India to become a true sporting powerhouse, we need greater investment and involvement at the grassroots level. Our athletes require the right environment for development, and it is crucial that stakeholders make the right decisions at the right time,” Menon stressed.
Mandhana echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for deeper grassroots penetration to ensure the sustained growth of women’s sports in India.
“My ultimate dream is to see two girls playing a street sport and enjoying it completely. If that happens, we can truly say we have inspired young girls to take up sports. That will be a real victory for us as sportspersons,” she concluded.