Abhishek Nayar's experience coaching the UP Warriorz unveils a stark reality about the disparities in cricketing pathways for men and women. He found himself navigating uncharted waters, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities within women's cricket. But what does this reveal about the broader landscape? Let's dive in.
Nayar, initially unsure whether to be candid or diplomatic, admitted he's still 'wrapping his head around' coaching a women's team. He discovered that the directness he was accustomed to in men's cricket didn't always translate. He found that in women's cricket, 'the attention to detail is a little more.'
He explained, 'Sometimes you need to sort of break it down in a lot of ways and it's not as obvious as you think it is. Sometimes you just think it's going to happen, it doesn't. So, I feel it's a more hands-on job.' This required him to adapt his coaching style, encouraging him to be more communicative. The players' receptiveness to this approach was a pleasant surprise.
Interestingly, Nayar's observations come while coaching a team composed entirely of international players (with the exception of Shweta Sehrawat), some of whom are World Cup winners. This contrast underscores a significant difference in how men and women approach the game.
Nayar's extensive background, including experience with the international men's team, an IPL side, Mumbai cricket, and a developing cricket setup in Puducherry, makes his experience all the more noteworthy. He has mentored players from their pre-teens to established international cricketers. So, why is he surprised?
This novelty reflects a larger gap in the cricketing pathways for men and women. The core issue, as Nayar's experience suggests, is the lack of quality game time for women. This deficiency begins in school cricket. While aspiring male cricketers often have year-round opportunities, girls' cricket is limited to one or two tournaments annually, if any. Even at the district level, competitive matches are scarce.
This lack of game time is rooted in cultural factors. The availability of club cricket in non-metro cities is a nice idea, but how many families are willing to allow their daughters to pursue the sport competitively? And this is the part most people miss...
Beyond the growing popularity of women's cricket, social factors discourage young girls from participating at the grassroots level. In a country where the fairness cream market is estimated to be INR 5000 crore, and skin tanning is still a major concern, the expectations placed on young women's time also play a role. Indian women spend significantly more time on household chores than men, averaging over 300 minutes daily.
This lack of participation leads to a lack of matches and competition. Talented cricketers are often fast-tracked to higher levels, including the national team, at a young age. Of the 11 players in the Indian team that played the World Cup final last year, six made their international debut before the age of 17. This is nearly the same average debut age as the Indian men's Under-19 team.
In India, talented women cricketers are identified early and rapidly advanced. They often learn at the international or WPL level, unlike men, who develop at domestic, school, and club levels. This means that women players sometimes lack the cricket smarts of their male counterparts at similar levels, which is often visible on live television, in front of packed audiences.
They sometimes make mistakes that seem amateurish to those who are accustomed to observing male cricketers. Nayar's experience is a new learning curve. He acknowledged the initial challenges but found solace in the players' willingness to learn.
He noted, 'In men's cricket, you have to be very [mindful of] what you are saying, what you are not saying. In women's cricket, they're very receptive. So you can actually talk to them, you can get into those details. But trust takes time and I'm working around that.'
He concluded, 'When Harleen [incident of retired out] and these things happen and things come out, it becomes harder for me. [This role] is different, it's fun, it's challenging, it's testing me in every which way and sort of preparing me for the IPL also in a different way, but I would say it's not been easy.'
But here's where it gets controversial... Do you think the lack of early exposure truly hinders the development of women cricketers? Or are there other factors at play? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
