Women to the fore: Cup of joy and a few lessons

The relief came first last week — that the Indian women’s team had stayed alive at their home World Cup.

- Sharda Ugra

After three straight defeats, out of which they could have at least won two if not all three against strong opposition. But what's better at a home World Cup? Acing everything in the group phase and stumbling at the final? Or scrambling through the beginning with everything coming through at the end?

When India take on Australia in the semifinals on Thursday, the relief felt after victory over New Zealand comes accompanied by nerves. Not only because India face defending and seven-time champions and the only unbeaten team in the competition. Injury has robbed the lineup of the calm and measured presence of opener Pratika Rawal. India must therefore draw on the confidence of personnel and game execution against NZ to compete fiercely.

Watching the Indians in the event, regardless of their three straight defeats, felt rewarding. Because of sighting the almost-fully-prepped young talent of Kranti Gaud and N Sree Charani, Richa Ghosh’s singular power and the varied trajectories taken by two remarkable 2000-borns ~ Jemimah Rodrigues’ rise from prodigy to titan and Pratika’s instant ‘belonging’ on the world stage. They stand on the shoulders of the still-fizzing Class of 2017 — Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma.

There was another sight that marked this tournament's legacy - of women everywhere. Playing the game, running the game, enjoying the game. Female umpires, match referees, coaches, trainers, analysts, broadcasters and the crowd. Shouting, cheering, grooving. Finding their voices, minds and space. Being seen, heard, noticed. It is not a small thing, because somewhere in India, girls and boys growing through childhood and adolescence will be watching. Imprinting these visuals in their minds, framing them as the normal.