Women don't want equal money, we want equal respect: RCB captain Smriti Mandhana

Women’s cricket has experienced an impressive transformation over the years, with increased viewership, sponsorships, and a growing fan base. One of the key figures in this revolution is India’s star batter and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women skipper, Smriti Mandhana.

At an event arranged by Sports-Forward Nation on Monday, February 03, Mandhana spoke about how women’s cricket has evolved and how the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has played a crucial role in shaping it. The cricketer, who led RCB to their maiden WPL title last year, believes that the success of the tournament has significantly revised the conversations about women’s cricket. The Mumbai-born mentioned how, in her early playing days, stadiums were mostly empty, but now, packed venues show the growing interest in women’s sport.

"From the time we started playing in terms even for the Indian team to having stadiums which were mostly empty to now filling out stadiums wherever we play as an Indian team or with RCB. I think it's just a good, brilliant thing to watch, and I think more importantly as cricketers or as sports people, sometimes people mis-conceptualize thinking that we as women want equal stuff, but all we need is equal respect. People know us, people appreciate us, and criticize us, which is great. I think people are caring about women's sport, they are watching it. So I think it's a journey and I just feel it," Mandhana said.

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Sania Mirza became an icon that inspired us: Smriti Mandhana

The 28-year-old also revealed that the growth of women’s sports goes to more than just cricket. She mentioned that Sania Mirza was a sportsperson who brought fresh motivation to the women trying to pursue sports. 

"When I started, I think whenever we say that nowadays, we sound old. But yeah, when we picked up, when I picked up bat and ball, it was more to just do with my brother playing and my father also liked to date. So, to see, I wouldn't even talk about women's cricket, I'd just say women's sport evolved. Growing up, I think when I turned 10 and 11, I think the first time we heard of Sania Mirza becoming an icon, and we all knew that, oh wow, there's a girl in sport, and that inspired us," she added.

Meanwhile, the WPL is now entering its third season and is set to be played across four venues from February 14 to March 15. RCB will play the season opener against Gujarat Giants in Vadodara.