Harmanpreet Kaur–Smriti Mandhana Era Sparks Surge in Women Taking Up Cricket in India

The era of Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana in Indian women’s cricket appears to be influencing the sport beyond the field, with participation among women doubling across 14 states since 2020, according to a study commissioned by the BBC and Collective Newsroom.

The survey, which covered more than 10,000 women, found that the share of women who say they play cricket has increased from five per cent in 2020 to 10 per cent now. Among younger women, the growth has been even sharper, with 16 per cent of those aged between 15 and 24 saying they play cricket, compared with six per cent in 2020.

The report also noted that interest in sport as a profession is rising among young women. “One in four women aged 15 to 24 say they have considered sport as a career option,” the study said.

A Successful Phase for India

The rise in participation comes during a successful phase for the Indian women’s team. India recently won its maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup and also defeated the Australia women’s national cricket team in a bilateral three-match T20I series for the first time in a decade.

Cricket has also strengthened its position as the most played sport among women in the surveyed states, moving clearly ahead of Kabaddi. In 2020, cricket had only narrowly edged past kabaddi, but the latest figures suggest the gap has widened.

Participation has risen in nearly all the states surveyed, with only two reporting no increase. Uttar Pradesh recorded the steepest growth, with participation levels jumping tenfold—from one per cent in 2020 to 10 per cent now.

Gender Gap Narrows

The gender gap in cricket participation has also narrowed. According to the study, for every woman who plays cricket, three men now play the sport. In 2020, the ratio stood at one woman for every five men. Interest in pursuing sport as a career has also increased. About 26 per cent of women aged 15 to 24 said they had considered a career in sport, up from 16 per cent in 2020. The highest levels of interest were reported in Tamil Nadu (27 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (19 per cent) and Meghalaya (19 per cent).

The study also highlighted rising participation in Badminton among women, particularly in Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. However, safety concerns remain a barrier for many women who wish to take up sport. Around 13 per cent of women who do not play any sport cited safety concerns as a reason.

Rupa Jha, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Collective Newsroom, said the findings show both progress and continuing challenges.

“The findings show both progress and continuing barriers. While participation and viewership are rising fast, stereotypes and practical challenges remain,” she said, adding that the data could help spark further discussion on supporting women athletes.