The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has rapidly emerged as one of the most transformative sporting platforms in Indian cricket history. Beyond the boundaries and scorecards, the league is reshaping lives, redefining recognition, and rewriting long-standing narratives around women’s cricket. As WPL matches continue in Vadodara, the Gujarat Giants (GG) camp reflects a powerful mix of confidence, ambition, and gratitude—evidence of how far the women’s game has come and where it is heading next.
During a detailed media interaction held in Vadodara on January 20, several prominent members of the Gujarat Giants squad—including captain Ashleigh Gardner, senior players Sophie Devine and Renuka Thakur, emerging all-rounders Anushka Sharma and Kashvi Gautam, batter Bharti Fulmali, and members of the coaching staff—shared candid insights into their journeys, performances, challenges, and the profound impact of the WPL on women’s cricket in India and beyond.
Their words painted a vivid picture of a sport undergoing a cultural shift—where recognition is growing, opportunities are expanding, and young girls are beginning to see cricket not just as a passion, but as a viable profession.
“Life Changed After the World Cup”: Renuka Thakur on Recognition and Respect
One of the most striking voices at the press conference was that of Gujarat Giants and India pacer Renuka Thakur. Known for her ability to swing the ball at pace, Renuka spoke openly about how women cricketers’ lives have changed following recent international successes and the launch of the WPL.
According to Renuka, the transformation has been deeply personal as well as collective.
“After the World Cup, life has changed a lot,” she explained. “Earlier, only a few women cricketers were recognized, but now people know almost every player. The respect has increased, and fans come forward to congratulate us.”
Her words reflect a larger truth. For decades, women’s cricket in India existed largely on the fringes of public attention. Despite talent and achievements, players often went unnoticed outside cricketing circles. That reality, Renuka believes, is finally changing—thanks to international performances and the visibility provided by the WPL.
Today, fans recognize players in public spaces, appreciate individual performances, and follow women’s matches with genuine interest. This cultural shift has given players not only validation, but motivation to aim higher.
Gujarat Giants Focus on Learning, Not Dwelling on Losses
While the Gujarat Giants have experienced mixed results during the ongoing WPL season, Renuka emphasized that the team remains focused on improvement rather than regret.
“We are not thinking too far ahead,” she said. “We are discussing the matches we lost and identifying where things went wrong. The idea is to learn and move forward with a positive mindset.”
She noted that the team had played good cricket in patches, especially at the start of the tournament. Understanding pitch conditions has also been a key learning curve.
“Different pitches require different strategies,” Renuka explained. “Now that we have played here, we understand the Vadodara surface better. That knowledge will help us in the upcoming games.”
Her calm, analytical approach mirrors the professionalism that the WPL is helping instill across teams—where performance reviews, adaptability, and mindset are as important as raw talent.
A Mother’s Support Behind Every Success
Beyond tactics and technique, Renuka also spoke emotionally about the personal foundation behind her journey.
“My mother has been my biggest support,” she said. “Without her blessings and hard work, I would not be here today.”
Renuka made it clear that success in professional cricket is rarely the result of a single individual’s effort. Coaches, family members, mentors, and teammates all play vital roles.
“It’s not because of one person,” she added. “Many people have supported me at different stages, and all of them contributed to my journey.”
This acknowledgment highlights a reality often overlooked—women athletes frequently depend on strong family backing to pursue careers that still face social and logistical challenges in many parts of India.
WPL Bridges the Gap Between Domestic and International Cricket
For young all-rounder Anushka Sharma, the WPL represents something even more fundamental: opportunity.
She described the league as a vital bridge between domestic cricket and the international stage.
“The WPL is a fantastic platform, especially for players who don’t get direct opportunities in the Indian team,” Anushka said. “It fills the gap between domestic cricket and international cricket.”
Her statement captures the structural importance of the league. For years, domestic performers struggled to find visibility or consistent exposure to high-pressure environments. The WPL changes that equation by placing domestic talent alongside international stars in front of packed stadiums and millions of viewers.
Anushka expressed gratitude to the Gujarat Giants management for trusting her abilities and giving her this platform.
“I’m thankful that they believed in me,” she said. “Although I couldn’t score big runs in my last two innings, I’m determined to contribute more in the remaining matches.”
“Cricket Is About Mindset”: Anushka on Formats and Mental Strength
Anushka also shared her perspective on adapting across formats, emphasizing that success depends largely on mental approach rather than technical changes.
“I consider myself a player for all three formats,” she said. “The game is the same—bowler bowls, batter bats. Everything depends on your mindset.”
She explained how each format demands a different mental rhythm: patience in Tests, balance in One-Day Internationals, and aggression in T20s.
“In T20 cricket, things move faster,” she noted. “But ultimately, it’s all about how you think.”
Her current focus, she revealed, is helping Gujarat Giants win their remaining matches convincingly and push for the WPL title—an ambition that reflects the competitive hunger the league has ignited.
Kashvi Gautam: Inspired by Hardik Pandya and Vadodara Roots
Another emerging voice at the press meet was all-rounder Kashvi Gautam, who spoke passionately about her role model—India men’s team star Hardik Pandya.
“My role model is Hardik Pandya because he is from Vadodara,” Kashvi said. “He stays calm in every situation.”
She highlighted how Pandya’s journey—marked by setbacks, injuries, and comebacks—has shaped her belief in resilience.
“The struggles he faced show that if you keep believing in yourself, you can achieve great things for the country,” she explained.
Playing in Vadodara, Pandya’s hometown, added emotional significance for Kashvi, reinforcing how local heroes can inspire the next generation.
Fans Embrace Women’s Cricket in Vadodara
Kashvi also praised the atmosphere at the Vadodara stadium, noting the strong turnout and enthusiasm among spectators.
“The stadium is excellent, and a large number of people are coming to watch,” she said. “They are not supporting just one team; they are supporting women’s cricket overall.”
This shift—from team-centric loyalty to sport-centric appreciation—signals growing maturity in fan culture around women’s cricket. Full stands, loud cheers, and genuine engagement have become defining features of the WPL experience.
“Seeing packed stands motivates us,” Kashvi added. “The way fans encourage us is amazing.”
Pitch Conditions and Tactical Awareness
Discussing playing conditions, Kashvi observed that bowlers have enjoyed some assistance in both innings.
“There has been a bit of swing in both innings,” she explained. “It could be because of the cold weather and dew.”
This insight reflects the increasing tactical awareness among young players, who are learning to read conditions and adjust their games accordingly—a skill essential for international success.
Aggression or Strategy? “It Depends on the Situation”
When asked whether she considers herself an aggressive or tactical player, Kashvi offered a balanced response.
“It depends on the situation,” she said. “Sometimes you need to be tactical, and sometimes you need to be aggressive. Even in one match, both approaches may be required.”
Her clarity underlines a key evolution in women’s cricket: players are no longer boxed into rigid roles but are encouraged to think dynamically.
Looking ahead, Kashvi revealed her ambitions extend beyond the WPL.
“My vision is to perform well in the upcoming Australia series and secure my place in the Indian team,” she said. “My main goal is to make my T20 debut for India.”
Learning from the Best: Renuka, the “Swing Queen”
Kashvi also spoke about her bowling partnership with Renuka Thakur, calling her an invaluable mentor.
“Renuka is my bowling partner,” she said. “She bowls the first over, and I bowl the second.”
Observing Renuka closely has helped Kashvi understand swing, line, and length more deeply.
“She is a ‘swing queen’ and has taken many wickets for India,” Kashvi noted. “I try to learn as much as possible from her.”
Such mentorship, fostered within the WPL environment, accelerates development in ways traditional domestic cricket often could not.
Bharti Fulmali: A Long Road of Struggle and Redemption
Perhaps the most emotionally resonant story came from batter Bharti Fulmali, whose journey through professional cricket spans nearly two decades.
“I started playing cricket at a very young age,” Bharti shared. “I’ve been in professional cricket for about 16 to 17 years.”
Her career, she explained, has been filled with ups and downs. Despite performing well in domestic cricket recently, she faced disappointment when she was not selected for a Central Zone tournament.
“That was very painful,” she admitted.
However, the WPL provided a turning point.
“Through the WPL, I got a platform,” Bharti said. “Based on my performances here, I was selected for the India team.”
Her story exemplifies how the WPL is reviving careers, rewarding persistence, and ensuring talent does not go unnoticed.
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WPL Ignites a New Wave of Aspiration Among Young Girls
Bharti also reflected on how women’s cricket has evolved over the past decade.
“Six or seven years ago, competition was less,” she said. “But after the 2017 World Cup, everything changed.”
Since then, interest in women’s cricket has surged, with more girls taking up the sport and families offering support.
“Especially after the WPL started, there is huge enthusiasm among girls,” she explained. “They are now choosing cricket as a profession.”
Her own family, Bharti said, feels proud and fulfilled.
“They always wanted this,” she said. “Now they want me to help India win a World Cup.”
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Role Models, Recognition, and a Revolution in Progress
The Gujarat Giants’ media interaction in Vadodara was more than a routine press conference—it was a reflection of a sporting revolution in progress.
From Renuka Thakur’s acknowledgment of growing respect, to Anushka Sharma’s belief in mindset, Kashvi Gautam’s inspiration from local heroes, and Bharti Fulmali’s story of perseverance, every voice echoed the same truth: the WPL is changing women’s cricket at its core.
The league is not just producing competitive matches; it is creating role models, opening pathways, and building a future where women’s cricket commands the respect it deserves.
As stadiums fill, families cheer, and young girls dream bigger, the WPL stands as a defining force in the global rise of women’s cricket—one season, one story, and one breakthrough at a time.
