Follow UsFormer India pacer Jhulan Goswami believes that the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has played a crucial role in transforming Indian women’s cricket and preparing the current generation for success on the world stage.
Reflecting on India’s historic World Cup triumph on November 2 in Navi Mumbai, Goswami said that exposure through the WPL, along with reforms introduced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), have built a strong foundation for the women’s game.
“My career began with pure love for the game. I was a sporty girl who preferred playing over school,” Goswami said in a conversation with JioHotstar, as quoted by The Indian Express.
“Watching the 1992 World Cup with white balls and coloured clothing got my entire neighbourhood talking about cricket, and I knew I wanted to play. Sports brought me absolute joy, and I never overthought things, just enjoyed each moment.”
She said that the transformation of women’s cricket over the years was the result of sustained institutional efforts by the BCCI.
“What Jemimah Rodrigues and her teammates achieved in the World Cup final was truly deserved through their hard work,” Goswami said.
“Since the 2002 World Cup, women’s cricket has transformed completely thanks to the BCCI and Jay Shah sir’s initiatives like equal pay, WPL, better domestic structure, stable coaching staff, and access to the National Cricket Academy. These systematic changes ultimately helped our girls become world champions.”
Amidst this, she also highlighted the impact of the WPL and praised the big-match mentality and heightened game awareness in the Indian women's team since playing the tournament.
“WPL has brought tremendous benefits to our players through exposure to quality cricketers and professional dressing rooms. Our girls learn game-reading, mental clarity, and defined roles from international stars.
“The tournament has produced many quality cricketers who have seamlessly transitioned into the Indian team. Playing in front of 30,000–35,000 crowds helps them handle pressure situations better in big matches. Unlike our generation, these girls now know how to react in high-pressure finals. The financial support and belief from WPL has transformed domestic cricket, and players like Jemimah now share these valuable experiences with younger teammates during team travels," she added.