Fans chant for Mandhana in Dubai as women’s cricket grows in India
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Around 200 fans in Dubai waited after a Women’s T20 Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan, hoping to see Indian batter Smriti Mandhana. They began chanting her name, “Smriti, Smriti”, mirroring chants once reserved for Sachin Tendulkar, and successfully drew Mandhana off the team bus for a brief interaction.
The scene marked a change from the near-empty stadiums that once characterised women’s cricket in India.
For years, Indian women cricketers like Neetu David, Anjum Chopra, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami played before small crowds and received limited media attention, despite successes like reaching multiple World Cup semifinals. However, the launch of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023 and India’s 2025 ODI World Cup victory have dramatically increased the sport’s popularity. Long-time cricket fan Umesh Agarwal, who attended the Dubai match with his daughter, believes the WPL has been instrumental in engaging new audiences.
Former India captain Anjum Chopra noted the impact of increased media coverage and digital reach, in addition to the team’s recent victories, on drawing fans to women’s matches. She also highlighted Smriti Mandhana’s role as a star player, noting Mandhana’s consistent performance and leadership of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru WPL championship team have resonated with fans. The growing support is inspiring a new generation of players, like Uma Chetry, the first international cricketer from northeast India.
