Why women’s cricket deserves respect, not misplaced criticism

Men’s game, Women’s game — same passion, unequal respect

ICC Women's World Cup: I have followed men’s and women’s cricket with equal interest for decades. Discussed and debated with my colleagues at Revsportz on a daily basis. Have never subscribed to the argument that the women’s game should be less covered because they haven’t won an international competition. Going by that logic the Olympics should never get much coverage as India hardly wins. May be that’s why when I see male journalists jump in and start making comments without understanding the game, I start to cringe. Such comments reflect a certain misogyny and that’s where things start to go wrong.

First things first- should we or for that matter anyone who watches sport not have the right to criticise? Of course they do. Each one has the right to be critical. Each one has an opinion and has the right to express it. But then there is a line between being critical and being misogynist. To suggest the women need to deliver because they have all the facilities is to cross the line. Facilities don’t guarantee results. India won 6 medals in London 2012. India yet again won 6 medals in Paris 2024. And no gold medals on either occasion. Does this mean there has been no progress in the country’s sport in these 12 years? Does it mean that resources haven’t been made available to athletes in a decade and more?

The truth is Indian athletes now have every facility. They have the option of training abroad and get prepared. And yet results have been below par. While you need to be critical and evaluate as to what is going wrong, to single out the women cricketers for you will get some social media traction is to make a mistake.

India has two huge games coming back. Games that will decide the campaign. For now, lets back the team. Get behind the girls and support them. The campaign isn’t over and there is much left in the world cup. Had Pakistan won last night things would have opened up completely. So you never know. One win should seal the deal and that’s what India should be after.

For us in the media it is key to watch and support the sport all round the year. Not just jump into the mix when things don’t go right in a world cup. That’s unfair and that’s where sensationalist reportage comes in. As responsible individuals who have the power to shape narrative, we need to act with sensitivity and care. Not make flippant remarks which can then be interpreted as “bashing” on social media.

The truth is it is easy to be sensationalist. Negativity sells and over the top criticism always appeals to the masses. “Dekho kaisa bol diya”, could be talk in a chai stall in a locality but it will not help the sport. Such talk is cheap. For now all that we should be concerned with is how India fares in the next two games. Can they salvage the campaign and what happens against England? I believe there is a lot left in this world cup and things can indeed change on the 19th in Indore.