‘Wouldn’t Let Women’s Cricket Happen’: N Srinivasan’s Past Remark Sparks Outrage After India’s World Cup Win

In a historic moment for Indian cricket, the women in blue finally lifted the ODI World Cup trophy, 52 years after the first Women's World Cup that India did not qualify for, as there was no women's team at that time. The number 52 found poetic meaning again, marking the margin of India's victory over South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium.

A Long-Awaited Triumph for Indian Women's Cricket

India's victory carried significance beyond the trophy. It was not just about the players on the field but also about the thousands of young girls inspired by their journey and the women of past generations who fought for recognition.

After the win, the team shared their joy with cricketing legends Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, two pillars of Indian women's cricket who paved the way for this generation. Their presence symbolized the long struggle and perseverance that led to this moment of glory.

Diana Edulji's Fight Against Gender Bias in Cricket

Former Indian captain Diana Edulji, who led the national team from 1978 to 1993, has always been outspoken about the challenges women cricketers faced within the male-dominated cricket establishment.

"I've always been a BCCI basher, right from the day women's cricket came into the BCCI fold in 2006," Edulji had said at an Indian Express event in 2017, shortly after India's heartbreaking loss in that year's ODI World Cup final.

"BCCI is a very male chauvinist organisation. They never wanted women to dictate terms or get into this thing. I was very vocal from the start of my playing days. Even now, I would still say that it is not yet well accepted within BCCI that women's cricket is doing well," she added.

N Srinivasan's Controversial Remark Resurfaces

Edulji, who later served on the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) for the BCCI, has often spoken about systemic resistance against women's cricket. In one of her most shocking revelations, she shared how former BCCI president N Srinivasan openly dismissed the women's game.

"It is very difficult for them to accept the fact that this team has done very well," Edulji had explained. "When Mr Srinivasan became president, I would like to say that I went to congratulate him at the Wankhede Stadium (after the men's team's 2011 World Cup win). He said, 'If I had my way, I wouldn't let women's cricket happen'. He hates women's cricket."

Her statement resurfaced on social media after India's World Cup win, drawing widespread criticism of Srinivasan's alleged chauvinist stance. Fans and former players have since hailed the women's team's victory as a powerful rebuttal to years of neglect and bias.

Women's Cricket Still Faces Challenges Despite Progress

Since Edulji's revelation eight years ago, the perception of women's cricket in India has improved significantly. The advent of the Women's Premier League (WPL) and increased media coverage have brought the women's game into the mainstream.

Yet, challenges persist, from unequal pay to limited infrastructure and visibility. This World Cup victory, however, stands as a testament to the strength, resilience, and talent of Indian women cricketers who overcame the odds to claim their place in history.

As Edulji and others continue to remind the cricketing establishment, the journey toward equality in Indian cricket is far from over, but with every win, the gap narrows a little more.