In the early morning darkness of Kinathukadavu on the outskirts of Coimbatore, a remarkable daily journey begins. S Anusri, a Class IX student at Sri Ramakrishna Matriculation School, sets off with her father at 5:30 AM. Their destination is the Ramakrishna Cricket Academy, located 29 kilometers away on the school campus in Nava India. This dedicated trip, repeated every evening after school, totals a staggering 58 kilometers of daily travel, all fueled by a single dream: to play cricket for India.
A New Generation Inspired by Champions
Anusri's grueling schedule includes training from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM before attending school, followed by another session from 3:30 PM to 6 PM. "I joined the school in the city just to improve my cricketing skills," she says, citing her idols, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. Her story is no longer an anomaly. Across Coimbatore, a significant shift is underway. The notion of cricket as a 'gentleman's game' is being rewritten by girls and young women who now see it as a viable career path, a conviction solidified by the success of the Indian Women's Cricket Team on the world stage.
Cricket academies in the city report a seismic shift in enrollment. There has been a nearly 50% increase in girl participants over the past three years. This surge is attributed to several key factors: the high visibility of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the implementation of equal match fees for women in state teams, and growing international viewership of women's cricket. This momentum was evident when nearly 200 girls participated in the last district-level selection trial held by the Coimbatore District Cricket Association (CDCA).
Infrastructure Growth and Persistent Gaps
The rising interest is forcing a renewed focus on improving infrastructure, coaching, and career pathways for women. The CDCA itself is planning to introduce a women's league tournament in the upcoming season, starting with a minimum of four teams, according to association secretary R Chandramouli. "We have produced a notable number of players from the district to represent the state," he said, highlighting that three players from Coimbatore are currently in the state team across categories, including city-based V Samyuktha in the under-15 squad.
However, a glaring gap remains. Despite the influx of girls, not a single cricket academy in the city has a woman coach to mentor them on technique. This highlights the lag in developing a full ecosystem. Furthermore, senior cricket coach A G Guruswamy points to systemic issues in selection. "There is partiality in women's cricket statewide," he claims, advocating for a more transparent process where inter-district winners play against the city team to select the best performers.
Young Dreams Taking Flight
The new wave is powered by the aspirations of young players. Ten-year-old G Aarathana, who joined the Ramakrishna Academy, declares, "I want to become a fast-bowling all-rounder, and I dream of playing in the Women's Premier League (WPL)." S Shrinika, a recent recruit, joined to learn the sport and shine like the World Cup champions she admires.
The change from just a few years ago is stark. S Jairupa, who now plays for the Tamil Nadu state team, recalls being the only girl when she joined an academy back in 2016. "It was rare to see women or girls playing cricket," she says. "But now we have more than 50 girls in my cricket academy alone. Like men, women too get paid if they play for state teams. Many girls can take this as a career option."
From Anusri's long daily commute to the packed academy grounds, Coimbatore is witnessing a quiet revolution. Driven by visible role models and better professional prospects, girls are stepping onto the pitch, determined to make cricket not just a game, but their future.
