IPL-style league will be a big step up, says Anjum Chopra
Anjum Chopra was a key player in the Indian women’s team that reached the 2005 ICC World Cup final in South Africa. Naturally, Chopra couldn’t hide her joy when the current Indian team made a stunning run to the 2017 World Cup final in England. She spoke to Rituraj Borkakoty of Khaleej Times on what needs to be done to make sure India’s final run is not a flash in the pan.
Q. First of all your thoughts on the team’s memorable run to the World Cup final…
A. It was good. The Indian team had not played a semifinal or a final after the World T20 in 2010. The team had a poor run in ICC events since 2010. So, this was a big break; to play a final after 2005.
Harmanpreet Kaur captured a nation’s imagination with that stunning 171. Was it the most significant innings for women’s cricket in India?
I think it was significant for the world not only for India. I don’t remember very many innings in the world that have been played like the knock that Harman played. Look at the impact it made and the stage on which it was played. The sheer domination and authority that was displayed by her in that knock was a treat to watch.
Yes, the team received a hero’s welcome in India. Even the Prime Minister hosted them at his residence. But does it worry you that the euphoria over the team could die down?
Look, all the euphoria and felicitations are part and parcel of the game at the world stage. You do well, the world will appreciate you. If your performance drops, no one applauds you. I am very pleased to see the appreciation the sport has received in our country. The way the nation has welcomed and applauded the girls after the World Cup, it is a dream for any sportsperson. I don’t think this will fade away. In fact it should inspire the girls to perform even better at every stage.
Captain Mithali Raj has spoken of her desire to see an IPL-style league in women’s cricket. They already have such leagues in England and Australia...
If it can happen in India, it will be great. It will be a big step up for women’s cricket in India if IPLstyle event can be held here. I am sure it will make an impact. I believe that one can only become better by practising with other world-class players.
Should there be any change in domestic cricket? We have heard that women’s domestic players still don’t get decent match fees…
Structure and match fees are two different fields. In structure, the idea is always to play more competitive matches. The number of matches can be increased for greater exposure to players. Also, we don’t have a club cricket structure for girls at junior or senior levels in all states. It is there in only few parts of the country, not everywhere. I think the match fees will get better as the game progresses and for that — the sky is the limit!
Diana Edulji, one of your role models, is the only cricketer, male or female, on BCCI’s interim panel. How important a role she can play for the women’s game...
She is a member of the COA, so she is there to look at cricket in totality in India and not only women’s cricket. Yes, she has been very supportive to the women’s game. The girls have delivered too and made an impact now with the recent World Cup campaign in England.