By Maez Akhtar 
Although the support is expanding, which is a positive sign, the team’s ongoing expansion is the main motivator. The Indian team has competed in a foreign series every month since June 2022. Because of the obvious contrast with previous years, growth can be measured, and performances can be better tracked.
In June, the Indian squad visited Sri Lanka for a complete white ball tour that included 3 each of an ODI and T20 match. In July–August, they competed in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where they came in second place to eventual champions Australia. They returned to the UK and performed well in a full white ball series against England’s women.
These dependable, positive outcomes have contributed to the sport receiving the necessary attention. Only winners grab the spotlight, and the women’s team has benefited from this support thanks to their consistency, which their ongoing participation has aided in international competitions. The goal is that this is only the beginning and that it will continue to expand.
The primary driving force in this right now is the players. It will be their responsibility to launch this ship without compromising each person’s unique contribution.
Who among us has benefited the most from the ongoing international competition? Among the notable ones are:
1) Deepti Sharma, a fixture for India’s team until early this year, was discovered taking a break during a few world cup matches in New Zealand in 2022. After being appointed captain of the Velocity squad in the women’s T20 challenge, she returned to the starting lineup and hasn’t looked back. A Player of the Series award at the Asia Cup will provide the Indian team the assurance that they can play a bigger part.
Renuka Singh Thakur is a player whose development I’ve watched: she started out bowling for the Himachal side in local cricket, was selected as an India probable in 2019, and is now in charge of the squad’s pace attack. Even though she is still very new to international cricket, her consistency, particularly while switching between English conditions and Bangladesh’s slow-paced pitches, has demonstrated her talent. Moving forward, she will hold one end for India.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad, second fiddle to Radha Yadav (a left-arm spinner), has seized her opportunity, particularly in T20 matches. Gayakwad, who has very different skills from Radha, has given India’s spin bowling department depth and variety. She would have benefited from the T20 matches.
A lot of cricket is scheduled in the near future as well. Domestic cricket has started, and Australia will visit India to play a series in a few months. India will likely play another series before the T20 world cup in South Africa in February 2023. Before the arsenal is added for international matches, it is time to fix the bugs that slip into domestic cricket.
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Zainab Shafiq