women's cricket

At 21, Shafali Verma represents a kind of ambition we rarely pause to understand. Her story is shaped by early responsibility, setbacks, and an honesty that does not try to impress anyone. From Rohtak’s narrow lanes to lifting a World Cup, she shows what determination looks like when you look at it up close.

Before India’s women cricketers made history on the world stage, one man in Lucknow changed everything. In the 1970s, Mahendra Kumar Sharma went door to door to build India’s first Women’s Cricket Association — and the legacy lives on.

Once denied her own dream of playing for India, Vizag’s D Kalyani has turned her passion into purpose. A former state-level player, she now trains hundreds of young girls at the ACA-VDCA academy, shaping talents like Shabnam Shakil who went on to represent India. Through grit and vision, Kalyani is building a new generation of fearless women cricketers from Andhra.

Rejected entry into a cricket academy for being a girl, Priya’s father sold his home to set up a practice pitch for her — this dad-daughter duo is truly an inspiration! #WomenInBlue

As the inspiring Vrinda Rathi says, when everyone around knows that you mean business at the center of the field, your gender does not matter. Kudos to her!

The former first-class cricketer was known for her batting prowess.