In June 2020, the landmark An Equal Hue report—co-authored by Snehal Pradhan, Karunya Keshav, and the late Sidhanta Patnaik—was published. Its aim was clear: take stock of Indian Women’s Cricket and chart a course for taking it to the next level. The report’s first section, “India and the World,” asked the most obvious question: How to win a World Cup. Five years on, that vision has become reality.
Poetically, Harmanpreet Kaur graces the cover of the report, celebrating in the blue Women’s T20 Challenge colours—a precursor to today’s Women’s Premier League (WPL). Now entering its fourth season, the WPL has had a significant and positive impact on India’s white-ball cricket, shaping both its strengths and future prospects within the global league ecosystem.
## The Symbiotic Rise of the WPL and Indian Cricket
The relationship between the WPL and the Indian women’s team is deeply symbiotic. The league has helped shape India’s arsenal, while it now stands to benefit from the team’s World Cup triumph. The immediate effects are already tangible: the next WPL auction will take place later this month, with the upcoming season slated for February. Expect fierce bidding at the mega-auction, with players like Amanjot Kaur and Shree Charani primed to receive more than just token contracts.
As the next season kicks off, fans will have a new chance to celebrate and connect with their freshly minted champions, within an ecosystem that is proving to be a game-changer. The league’s overall valuation stands at INR 951 crore (US$176 million), roughly INR 7.09 crores per match, with Simran Shaikh—yet to play internationally—fetching the highest bid at INR 1.09 crore in the WPL 2025 auction.
For historical perspective, Shantha Rangaswamy had to personally appeal to then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi just to get the 1984 women’s series televised. Indian players then wore black armbands after being denied even INR 100 as match fees. Times have changed.
## Shaping Icons, Fandoms, and Grassroots Connects
The WPL’s influence is not confined to its five franchises—Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, two existing IPL icons, now see their fanbases swelling and diversifying with the World Cup win. There is a growing sentiment for increasing franchise numbers, as the success of this World Cup offers heroes a chance to connect deeply with their hometowns and local supporters.
In August, Mithali Raj told Wisden Cricket Monthly about Andhra Pradesh’s local fanbase rallying behind Shree Charani, now a World Cup winner:
> “We want to make her the face of Andhra women’s cricket. Wherever we are trying to promote women’s cricket, she’s our face.”
With this latest triumph, such local impact is set to be amplified.
## Breaking Barriers: Financial Security and Equal Opportunity
The 2005 merger of the Women’s Cricket Association of India with the BCCI brought a much-needed increase in resources. While progress was slow at first, funding finally reached the women’s game. However, there remains a fundamental question: Can all families afford to invest in their daughters’ cricket careers, and is the system rewarding enough?
Radha Yadav, now a World Cup winner, was once barred from local nets because her father couldn’t afford training fees—their income came from selling produce on the footpath. Winning the World Cup can help break such barriers, which start with financial security. The top-level offers pay parity in match fees, WPL contracts, and lucrative prize money.
Yet, three caveats persist:
1. Grade C male central contracts still exceed Grade A female counterparts.
2. Men play significantly more international games.
3. Only the top twenty or so women cricketers annually earn these benefits, as domestic cricketers remain under-rewarded.
State associations must rally, establishing scholarships, clinics, and grassroots scouting to build a sustainable ecosystem. More public sector employers must come forward, mirroring the Railways’ model—offering job security to women cricketers.
As India’s culture of coaching for career success grows, financial security from cricket could be transformative for women athletes and society at large.
## Changing Mindsets: Everyone Deserves a Chance
Punam Raut’s 86 in the 2017 World Cup final is a testament to perseverance. Her father, a driver, endured criticism for supporting his daughter in what was seen as “not a girl’s sport.” Marriage and social expectations further complicated paths for women like her.
As Neha Tanwar put it:
> “In Indian society, we look at women with a certain gaze. Studies, then housework, then family. But women can achieve something too. Ek chance sabhi ka banta hai (everyone deserves a chance).”
This World Cup has the potential to change those narratives.
## No More Adjustments: The Meteoric Rise of Women’s Cricket Fandom
World Cup venues witnessed a sea change: SMRITI18 jerseys were seen among the traditional VIRAT18, ROHIT45, and DHONI7 shirts—signaling parity in popularity for the first time. Vendors reported a clear spike in demand for female cricketers’ gear.
Navi Mumbai’s final was almost packed, with “Sold Out” signs at the gate and nearly 40,000 attendees—up from 34,651 at the semi-final and 25,965 in the record-breaking India-Bangladesh league game.
Early broadcast figures are staggering. JioHotstar and Star Sports Network reported 60 million viewers for the first 13 matches alone—a five-fold increase. By the time Harmanpreet Kaur lifted the trophy, cumulative views topped 329 million, rivaling national populations.
More visibility leads to more investment. The next Women’s T20 World Cup is less than a year away, but the ripple effect will immediately be felt in the WPL.
## From Footnotes to Headlines: Women’s Cricket Finds Its Space
For years, women’s cricket events took a backseat to men’s matches. Finals were relocated, or even canceled due to funding or programming priorities. Now, the men’s India-Australia T20I barely registered against the women’s World Cup final—showing a turning point in viewership dynamics.
India’s saturated sports audience is now organically building space for the women’s game, fostering sustained progress rather than just fleeting breakthrough moments.
## Champions Creating Dreams and Opportunities
The World Cup winners cannot single-handedly transform the status of women in India or around the world—that will take time and collective effort. Yet, they have already inspired dreams, opened doors, and generated career opportunities in a country where women pursuing sports still face resistance.
Given India’s growing dominance in global cricket, there is every reason to be optimistic. The next chapter for women’s cricket in India is not just about trophies—it’s about building a parallel legacy that empowers women and changes society for generations to come.
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**Also read:** [Where does Rodrigues rank? The 10 best Women’s World Cup innings of all time]
**Also read:** [How the Women’s Premier League catalysed India‘s historic World Cup win]
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