Smriti Mandhana on the Rise of Women’s Cricket and the Call for Equal Respect

The star Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has attended an event and shared that women cricketers aren't asking for equal pay but we need equal respect and recognition. 

While speaking at an event, Smriti Mandhana, who is the captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore Women's team, talked about how women’s cricket has grown and the impact of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). She said, “Sometimes people get the wrong idea, thinking we want equal things just like men.”

Mandhana reflected on her early days with the Indian team when the stadiums were often empty. However, the stadiums are packed with fans, showing how much more people are interested in women’s sports. She said, “When we first started playing, the stadiums were mostly empty. Now, wherever we play, whether with the Indian team or RCB, the stadiums are filling up. It’s amazing to see.”

Smriti Mandhana said, "the IPL has done a lot for men's cricket, and it's like wow, the WPL can do something similar to women's cricket". pic.twitter.com/z20LJLFj0R

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 3, 2025

Mandhana pointed out that women in sports aren’t asking for the same pay but for equal respect and recognition. She said, “I think more importantly as cricketers or as sports people, sometimes people mis-conceptualize thinking that we as women want equal stuff, but all we need is equal respect.”

“People know us, people appreciate us, and criticize us, which is great. I think people are caring about women’s sport, they are watching it. So I think it’s a journey and I just feel it”. She added. 

Mandhana also mentioned how tennis star Sania Mirza inspired a whole generation of young women to take up sports. She said, “Growing up, I think when I turned 10 and 11, I think the first time we heard of Sania Mirza becoming an icon, and we all knew that, oh wow, there’s a girl in sport, and that inspired us.”

Meanwhile, the Women's Premier League (WPL) has completed two seasons and the third season is going to kick off on February 14. All the matches are played across four venues. The defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore will play the season opener match against the Gujarat Giants in Vadodara.

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