The roar of packed stadiums during the Women's Premier League (WPL) might feel like a sudden explosion, but seasoned observers of Indian cricket see it differently. This isn't 1983 all over again; this is women's cricket having its long-overdue 1978 moment.
The Foundation Year Everyone Forgot
While 1983 remains etched in national memory as the year Kapil Dev's men defied odds to win the World Cup, 1978 was arguably more significant for the structural revolution it triggered. That year witnessed the birth of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) national championships, creating the essential feeder system that would eventually produce world-beaters.
Similarly, women's cricket is now experiencing its own foundational transformation. The establishment of the WPL, increased central contracts, and greater visibility represent the architecture of sustainability being built brick by brick.
Beyond the Glitz: Building Sustainable Careers
The real revolution isn't just happening under the bright lights of WPL stadiums. It's occurring in the quiet implementation of systems that ensure cricket can be a viable career for women:
- Financial Security: Enhanced match fees and central contracts mean players no longer need to choose between passion and profession.
- Grassroots Pipeline: The WPL is inspiring a new generation to take up the sport, creating depth that didn't exist before.
- Infrastructure Access: Women cricketers now regularly train at the same world-class facilities as their male counterparts.
The Long Road to Overnight Success
What appears as sudden success is actually the culmination of decades of struggle and gradual progress. The current WPL stars stand on the shoulders of pioneers who played for passion alone, often funding their own tours and equipment.
This period mirrors the men's transition from amateur enthusiasts to professional athletes in the late 1970s. The difference is that women's cricket is compressing decades of evolution into just a few years, thanks to the BCCI's institutional backing and corporate investment.
The Future is Already Here
The parallel to 1978 suggests that the best is yet to come. If the men's 1978 foundation led to the 1983 miracle and subsequent dominance, women's cricket's current infrastructure building could yield even greater rewards.
With a robust domestic structure taking shape and international success becoming more frequent, Indian women's cricket isn't just having a moment—it's building an era. The revolution will be televised, but more importantly, it will be institutionalized.
