India women's cricket has progressed more than men's since 2019: Sourav Ganguly after WPL Auction

Former captain Sourav Ganguly believes that women’s cricket in India has progressed more than men’s cricket since 2019, given the way stars like Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues have progressed over the years. After much anticipation, the inugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) took place in Mumbai earlier this year with five teams —Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants participating in the tournament.

Harmanpreet Kaur-led MI went onto clinch the title, beating DC in the final by seven wickets.

“This is a huge tournament, and I am so happy to see where it went in the first year. This was always in our minds for quite some time, but couldn’t happen because of Covid. But what it did for the women cricketers is phenomenal,” Ganguly said in an interview on JioCinema.

“The progress that women’s cricket in India has made since 2019 is perhaps more than the men’s team. The men’s team has always been very, very good. But from where the women’s team was to where they went, from winning the Asia Cup, the way they played in the World Cups, then the Commonwealth Games,” he added.

Ganguly called them the best team in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year, where they would go down to Australia by nine runs to clinch silver.

“They were by far the best team in the Commonwealth Games. To see them develop so much, Harmanpreet, Smriti, you name them, Richa, Jemimah, Shafali, the way they have progressed is impressive. When Jhulan finished, we thought where the next seamer would come from, and then the way Renuka Thakur has developed over the last three years. So, that’s the best thing about women’s cricket,” added the 51-year-old.

Ganguly, who is also Delhi Capitals’ Director of Cricket, was all praise for Meg Lanning’s commitment towards the franchise.

“She’s a big player in women’s cricket. She is huge for us. Her commitment last year was outstanding. Some of the stories you hear about her, about what she does in training, is really brilliant. She’s just 32 and she’ll be in a phase of her career where she will play and perform and be available to the franchise. A lot of players are going that way in modern-day cricket. She’s a fantastic captain from whatever little bit I’ve seen,” added Ganguly.

DC acquired the services of Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, who was joint-most expensive player at the WPL 2024 auction at Rs 2 crore. The 22-year-old has plied trade for Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades in the Women’s Big Bash League, while also representing Australia in 48 matches across the three formats.

“We have heard good things about her (Annabel). These small auctions are always like that. Very little spots to fill and there’s someone who’ll always break the bank. I feel so good for all of them. We saw another Indian go for a lot of money and that’s good for the game. The tournament last year was brilliant and as I said, things are only going to get better,” said Ganguly.