'It's just a step-by-step progression' - Anjum Chopra on how the gap between men's and women's cricket can be bridged

Anjum Chopra is one of the finest female cricketers India has ever produced. The left-handed batter played 12 Tests, 127 ODIs, and 18 T20Is for the Women in Blue. She finished with more than 3,500 runs in her illustrious international career. After taking retirement, Anjum ventured into commentary, covering many important tournaments, including the Indian Premier League.

On the sidelines of the DP World ILT20 2025, Anjum was asked how the gap between men's and women's cricket could be bridged. The 47-year-old said that the process will take time and having patience is going to be important. She said that when women's cricket attracts more audiences in the coming days, it will be important to retain their interest level.

"It depends on what gap are we looking at here. So, the viewership gap is probably related to the number of people who follow the game. Obviously, the men's cricket is more followed than the women's cricket. So, bridging that gap, it's not about bridging that gap in a month or a year. It's a very constant progression and once you have that audience with you, you have to sustain it. So, the bigger impact I think the sport is going to make is earning more spectators and then retaining those spectators," Chopra said.

"Even if you're moving closer to that gap and that gap is reducing by the year or two, I think we're doing very well. So, names like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, people are following them and they're not mostly cricket fans," she added.

Anjum feels that with the growth in accessibility, the fan-following of women's cricket and the players will be enhanced gradually.

"No, I think we're confusing the subject over here by the following part. Whether it's men or women, we play a sport called cricket. Men's cricket has evolved over the years and it's reached a pinnacle. It's reached a height which is massive. It's not that women's cricket has suddenly started happening and people have suddenly started watching the game. It's just a step-by-step progression. So, with the growth of accessibility, the following is more enhanced," the former India captain stated.

"People can reach the person even without being there in person. That will come in the women's game also slowly and steadily. Whoever is playing for India, I think, is a blessed person. To go out there and score runs and take wickets and get your team to win is a bigger blessing," she added.

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Anjum was also asked about how the commencement of a women's version of the DP World ILT20 will fare. She opined that if the tournament begins a few years later, it could prove to be a successful venture.

"It's an early start probably for a discussion point which can be thought of in maybe five years time, down the line. Let's see, it's a bit of an early thought. But even if there is an idea or a thought, it's good. But few years down the line, let's see," Chopra said.