2017 was not just the year of the woman, but also of women cricketers. We saw our Indian women’s team battle it out in the Women’s World Cup and now, we get to witness them making us proud in South Africa.
February 18 is a big day for Indian cricket (for men and women), as the blues lock horns with South Africa in the shortest format, T20Is. Virat Kohli’s men will take on South Africa just after the women finish their match against the South African women’s team. The Indian Women cricket has made big strides in international cricket. The Mithali Raj-led team managed to reach the finals of the 2017 Women’s World Cup, only to lose to hosts England. But this team has come a long way in generating interest for the sport, which is considered to be dominated by men. That’s why fans want more coverage of women’s cricket and that is what led them to criticize the BCCI for not televising women’s cricket.
ALSO READ: Suresh Raina’s T20 comeback in spotlight. Will this be his last throw of the dice?
Meanwhile, in the 3rd T20I of the series against the Proteas, Indian eves are batting first, having scored 133 runs. Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s newly appointed T20I captain, was the pick of the Indian batswomen as she scored a blitzkrieg 48 off 30 balls. That seems to have compelled a Twitter user into believing that ‘mixed cricket’, like mixed-doubles in tennis, could be a possibility.
Here is the tweet that the user posted and the interest it has generated:
#HarmanpreetKaur is on fire_
Look at her eyes.. Seems focused…@ImHarmanpreet 3fours 4_ and a six 6_ in an over…#SAWvINDW #SAWvsINDW #SAvIND #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/YwnzgkZHhN
— I_D_A_ Women Cr_cket___ (@womencricketIN) February 18, 2018
The six by @ImHarmanpreet cleared men’s rope so that’s the power she created but unfortunately a thick edge closes her innings @bhogleharsha
— Tarang Mehta (@tarangmehta1195) February 18, 2018
Thanks #SAWvINDW @BCCIWomen @SonyLIV for telecasting live T20 India vs South Africa womens match @M_Raj03 @mandhana_smriti @ImHarmanpreet
— Gopal Bisani (@BisaniGopal) February 18, 2018
A quick fire 48 from the Indian skipper, @ImHarmanpreet. Superb Knock.
Are you all following the live update of the match on #100MB app? Log in now! #SAvIND #T20 #DoubleHeader @BCCI @BCCIWomen pic.twitter.com/4842XBFWc6
— 100MB (@100MasterBlastr) February 18, 2018
Good batting by Harmanpreet Kaur 48(30) @ImHarmanpreet _#RSAWvsINDW pic.twitter.com/91JAhmHoLN
— Er Saurabh Jha___ (@SaurabhTen) February 18, 2018
Oh no! @ImHarmanpreet deserved a 50. Anyways I’m glad this women’s T20 is live on TV, got to watch a wonderful innings by Harmanpreet Kaur. #SAWvINDW #SAvIND @SPNSportsIndia @BCCIWomen pic.twitter.com/NjPzHkmixn
— Mrinal (@ma25tweets) February 18, 2018
Thanks @BCCI n broadcaster for live telecast of the ind w vs sa w t20 matches. @DeepDasgupta7 cool as always as the host.good to see @chopraanjum back.come on @ImHarmanpreet n the team, bring it on..#SuperSunday
— BHRIGU CHAKRABORTY (@chakrabortybhr1) February 18, 2018
Was a treat to watch Smriti Mandhana’s classical drives and Harmanpreet Kaur’s backlift power hitting. Superb batting @mandhana_smriti @ImHarmanpreet girls. Thanks @SPNSportsIndia for telecasting. Good to see increase in women’s cricket viewership @M_Raj03.#INDWvSAW #SAWvINDW
— Sivabalan (@ImSbalan) February 18, 2018
Dear @BCCI @imVkohli @sachin_rt – with players like @mandhana_smriti @ImHarmanpreet @M_Raj03 #Jhulan n others.. just like Mixed Tennis… y not have mixed cricket match with both team having both men and women … would b fun to watch, as women cricket is now equal professional
— Jemin PANCHAL (@jemin_p) February 18, 2018
@BCCIWomen good batting by @ImHarmanpreet @SMandhanaGang we did not get big score but we can defend this score as well !! Lets do it girls !! Iam watching all your games since england workd cup _@M_Raj03
— dheeraj bhandari (@dheerajb22) February 18, 2018
ALSO READ: Once bitten, twice shy: Virat Kohli’s men to leave early for England tour
These tweets go on to show how people are thanking the broadcasters because they got to witness their stars in action, finally! BCCI should take more interest in promoting women cricketers because their achievements are nothing short of inspiring.
