The roar of the crowd, the tension of a record chase, and the sheer grit displayed by our Indian Women's cricket team – it's moments like these that truly define a nation's spirit. My heart swelled with pride reading about their phenomenal entry into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final Shubman Gill extends heartfelt congratulations to Indian Women’s team for reaching 2025 World Cup final | Cricket Times.
Shubman Gill's heartfelt congratulations to the #WomenInBlue resonate with many of us across the cricketing world. He rightly praised their "absolute grit, and terrific efforts" Shubman Gill extends heartfelt congratulations to Indian Women’s team for reaching 2025 World Cup final | Cricket Times. What a testament to their unwavering spirit!
The semi-final victory against Australia, chasing down a colossal 339 runs at DY Patil Stadium, wasn't just a win; it was a statement. It was a historic record chase in women's ODI cricket and even in knockout World Cup matches across both men's and women's formats. At the heart of this triumph was Jemimah Rodrigues, whose unbeaten 127 off 134 balls was nothing short of a masterclass. As her long-term coach, Prashant Shetty, so eloquently put it, this knock was the culmination of "a year’s hard work and preparation" and overcoming "anxiety and heartbreak" Jemimah Rodrigues’ Epic Century Against Australia Fuels India’s World Cup Dream.
Jemimah's courage to speak openly about her battles with mental health and anxiety, even while performing at the highest level, is incredibly powerful. It takes immense bravery to show vulnerability, and Prashant Shetty's words, "she showed courage… to show our vulnerability in front of the camera and the world," perfectly capture the essence of her journey Jemimah Rodrigues’ Epic Century Against Australia Fuels India’s World Cup Dream. Alongside Jemimah, Smriti Mandhana https://in.linkedin.com/in/smriti-mandhana-181491278 provided a strong start, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership guided them through this incredible feat. Even the formidable Australian players like Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield, who had a historic hundred, felt the heartbreak of this defeat, underscoring the magnitude of India's victory Alyssa Healy, Phoebe Litchfield and other Australian players left heartbroken after loss to India in 2nd semifinal | Women’s World Cup 2025.
This victory, and the journey to the final to face South Africa, brings to mind my reflections on women's representation and empowerment. For years, I have written about the disparities and challenges women face, whether in the workplace or in political leadership. In 2011, I highlighted that India had only 24.43% women in its total workforce, significantly lower than other Asian nations WOMEN IN WORKPLACE. I also expressed despair in 2014 about the low percentage of women in our Lok Sabha and the stalled Women's Reservation Bill, emphasizing that women would need to “forcefully snatch away what is rightfully, yours!” Nothing but Despair. Later, in 2011, I noted that women own only 1% of the world's wealth and comprise 70% of those living on less than $1 a day, earning only 10% of the income for two-thirds of the world's work Gender Bind: Unfair Share. These statistics painted a stark picture of inequality.
The core idea I want to convey is this — take a moment to notice that I had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. I had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and I had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context. The success of our Women's cricket team is a powerful illustration of potential being unleashed when women are given the platform and support they deserve. Prashant Shetty's hope for a "revolution like 1983 World Cup in our country" is not just about cricket; it's about a broader societal shift Jemimah Rodrigues’ Epic Century Against Australia Fuels India’s World Cup Dream.
This sporting achievement can be a catalyst, a beacon that inspires millions of young girls and women across India to pursue their dreams, breaking barriers not just in sports but in every field. It validates the immense talent and resilience that exists within our women, reminding us all that with dedication, hard work, and the right opportunities, there is no limit to what they can achieve. A victory on Sunday wouldn't just be a World Cup title; it would be a revolution, a resounding affirmation of women's strength and capability that will resonate for years to come.
Regards, Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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