The day they realised that girls can play

  Almost the entire, cricket crazy nation must have glue eyed their television sets not to watch Virat Kohli and his men play but to watch Mithali Raj and her women kick some butts in this so called gentleman's game. The question arises to me is how often have we actually backed, supported or cheered the women and  that too in a game like cricket? Have any of us even watched their complete game before? The answer is a big No! I might have seen the highlights of Harmanpreet Kaur's 171 in the semi finals against Australia but not a full fledged match. We watch men's games even if India isn't playing in it but not a women's game even if India is winning. I was stunned to understand that women's world cup started in 1973 whereas the men's world cup 2 years later in 1975. Then why such hipocrysy???
    If you have watched today's game keenly there were very few advertisements in between the overs whereas there are dozens of sponsors in the men's games. Also previously the attendance in the stadiums used to be sparse but today it was a full house. There were no broadcasters to show the matches on our television. The media never talked about their games whereas they would have panels over Anushka attending a match being a bad omen for the men. I came to know today that the women had also made into the finals way back in 2005. Winning and losing is a part and parcel of the game but after today's game and this tournament women's cricket and not just cricket but every sport will surely get a boost and encouragement in terms of revenue and otherwise.
    We hear, read and watch stories of sportsmen. Their talents, their determination, their dedication, the hard work and also their parents efforts and support gone into making them. But we must realise today that in a country like India where the roots of the patriarchy are still very deep, to break those shackles and even dream, think of playing a manly sport is a hurriculean task and we must not just admire these women but salute them to have represented India on the global platform.       
     With this tournament I hope a new revolution of equality starts and we not just have a God of cricket but also a goddess some day, not just cheer for Virat but also for Harmanpreet, not just applaud Ashwin but also back Poonam Yadav.