5 reasons why Women's Cricket is still unpopular in India

Cricket is no less than a religion in India with lovers of the game flocking to the stadiums in large numbers while millions sit glued in front of the television sets whenever Team India is in action. Even domestic matches get more than their fair share of attention, especially if they happen to be played in the T20 format.

While other sports have felt themselves being overshadowed in the immense popularity that the game of cricket enjoys in the country, there exists a wide difference even in the state of affairs of men's and women’s cricket in the country. With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) taking up the running of women’s cricket in the country, albeit reluctantly, things have certainly improved but there is still a lot to be desired.

While rich sponsors wait in queue to get their name associated with the men's side and their most marketable athletes, the women’s team wait in despair to have a decent sponsor come their way. Same is the case with the media coverage and crowd support despite their more-than-decent showing on the field.

There are a number of reasons why the state of women’s cricket in India is still far their male counterparts, Let’s have a look at a few of them.

#1 The male-dominated professional sports scenario

Be it cricket or any other sport for the matter, men enjoy a far superior hold compared to their female counterparts

Professional sports, in general, is male dominated and as much as one would like to deny it, it is the unfortunate truth. Right from a very young age, boys find it easier to get themselves associated with their sports of choice. Even at the grassroots level, there is a wide disparity in the training facilities and availability of specialist coaches as far as the men’s and women’s game is concerned.

The state of cricket in India is no different with the men’s side enjoying the best of opportunities – be it with regards to travelling, better salaries, or wide backing from the sponsors. Most importantly, they enjoy the support of the fans which is ultimately the biggest factor in sports.

The women’s side, on the other hand, can boast of no such fortune with many having to find employment in other fields with cricket just being a side-option.

#2 India’s ‘no-to-sports’ culture

Often considered just as time-pass, sports is often confined to makeshift grounds in India

India has never been a sports-oriented country, to begin with parents laying their focus mostly on getting the best education. Sports is seen as a mere timepass in many households with the youth even subjected to ridicule for failing in exams no matter how well they might have done on the sports field.

Even in this case, the boys get a leeway having a number of age-level tournaments to develop their skills while their female counterparts fail to get proper game time even in their own schools. The regressive mindset which has been prevalent from ancient times exists even to this day, with sports often considered only for men.

#3 Lack of proper backing from the BCCI

The BCCI headed by Anurag Thakur needs to do much more to improve women’s cricket in India

If the people entrusted with the running of the game themselves don’t give their all for the cause, then improving things at the ground level is really going to take some doing. That is unfortunately how the case is with the BCCI who reluctantly had to take up the running of affairs from the Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI) upon the directive of the sports’ governing body.

While the BCCI have taken up a number of good initiatives, one feels that the cash-rich board can do much more. Lack of a proper domestic structure for women’s cricket even close to a decade after it took over remains the biggest drawback.

There is a distinct lack of professionalism in the way women’s cricket is run in the country with the effect reflecting on the field as well with many other countries making much progress while India seems to have headed in the opposite direction.

#4 India’s patriarchal setup

Even a legend of the game like Mithali Raj struggles to get the attention she deserves in India

India is by no means the worst in terms of patriarchy, but it is evident that the male dominance in practically every walk of life has been reflected in sports as well. Women are expected to take the back seat and give their support to the males in the family and though there has been a welcome change in the mindset, there is still a long way to go before things fall in place.

The case of Mithali Raj is one prime example. Despite being one of the world’s best female cricketers ever, she hardly gets a mention or word of reckoning in the country which follows cricket as closely as religion.

Male cricketers with less than half her ability get adulation that should be reserved for true legends of the game like Mithali. If even the best of women cricketers suffer such fate, how will upcoming female cricketers get the motivation to follow the game and make a living out of it ?

#5 No fan-following means so sponsors

A packed stadium such as this one remains a distant dream as far as the Indian women’s side in concerned

Bollywood and cricket are forever intertwined with the Indian middle-class society and the biggest fact that holds true for both is that only the big boys get to enjoy the slice of fortune. The sponsors are only willing to shell out their money when there is a guarantee that they will get back what they shell out in due course and understandably so.

Unfortunately, women’s cricket hardly attracts any viewers often being played out in front of empty stands while questions of a telecast is practically non-existent, even for high profile tournament or matches. Major victories hardly get a mention in print media while there is hardly any coverage on the hard life faced by the female cricketers which might prompt a few individuals to support their cause.