The name Shantha Rangaswamy is synonymous with Indian women’s cricket. She was the first captain of the national cricket team. She was also the first woman cricketer to receive the Arjuna Award, in 1976. Rangaswamy is also the first Indian woman cricketer to accumulate a hundred in Test cricket.
The redoubtable all-rounder also compiled crucial fifties against the West Indies and Australia, alongside picking up key wickets. Who can forget Rangaswamy bagging three wickets in an over against Australia Under-25s to force a draw in 1975? Her achievements will echo for many generations to come.
In an exclusive chat with RevSportz, Rangaswamy shared her views on the evolution of Indian women’s cricket, the national squad for the upcoming 50-over World Cup, alongside a few nuggets from her career.
Excerpts:
How do you look at the India squad for the forthcoming World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka?
Indian women are doing exceedingly well in the one-dayers, both the Indian team in England and the India A team in Australia (won the series). T20 is one area where we can say we are perhaps not the frontrunners, but one of the frontrunners. In one-day, I can definitely say we are the frontrunners. I think women’s cricket has come a long way, thanks to BCCI energising women cricketers.
They (selection panel) have done a good job. I was the chairman of selectors for the BCCI and I was the chairman for a long stint for Karnataka. You pick 15, there will be 100 others not liking it. There will always be someone not happy with it. Yes, Shafali (Verma) is out, she has been given chances. With better performances, she may come back because age is in her favour. And disappointed that Shreyanka Patil has not made it from Karnataka. But I think she is still undergoing treatment, rehab, that could be the reason. But, otherwise, by and large, a good job that Neetu David and her team have done.
The squad seems to be a good mix of youth and experience. What are your views on young players like Pratika Rawal, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud and Co.?
I saw the matches in England on TV and I was very impressed with Pratika Rawal. That she clicked in a big way is one of the reasons why they couldn’t afford Shafali because you can’t bypass performance. Shree Charani is that left-arm spinner. Today, a former Bengal player called up, saying that Sourav (Ganguly) told 2-3 years back, ‘She will play for India, she is that good’. And she has proved her worth in England, she bowled very well in England.
India is definitely in the top two. At the international level, no single team can dominate for a long time. Australia’s domination has been there for a long time. But if there is any challenge to that, then it is India. India is definitely among the top two teams. And the home advantage will be there. Hopefully, we will see India winning its first World Cup.
You have achieved so much in your career – From being the first India woman captain to receiving the Arjuna Award, alongside all those runs and wickets. If you look back at your glittering career, what could be that one moment which stands out?
You see when we played the visiting New Zealand team in 1976, I got 527 runs in five Tests, which included a century in Pune. I got a 119. Unfortunately, they said it was unofficial. Despite being the first century-maker (for India), I was at a crossroads because I wasn’t sure what the records would say. Fortunately for me, I went to New Zealand, and in Dunedin, I got a century. Obviously, that, and the first to get the Arjuna Award, the first captain of India, I have had a very fulfilling career.
You noted in the just concluded event related to KSCA that you “weren’t paid a single rupee” during your playing days. In that context, how do you look at the evolution of women’s cricket in India?
When the BCCI announced equal pay for representing India, I was a part of that committee which took the decision. I think we need youngsters like Jay Shah to be at the helm because their thinking is not restricted. The contract system, Anurag Thakur started it. In fact, I recommended as the chairman of the selection committee (for) equal pay by Jay Shah. Even there, I raised (the point) that only Indian players (those who represent the national team) get it. Give it to all the domestic cricketers, I said. He said, ‘that will take time’. That will be the biggest achievement, if they pay equally to women cricketers as they pay for Ranji, Deodhar and all.
For a moment, let’s transport ourselves back to another era. Can you share your thoughts on your childhood days, how and when you took up the game of cricket? If you have any anecdotes to share from that time…
I grew up in a joint family where we used to play weekend cricket at home. There was a big compound. It was tennis-ball cricket, there was no body for women’s cricket. Fortunately, in 1973, it happened. I became the first captain of Karnataka, first captain of India, people thought it was a joke till they saw us play. When we got runs, when we got wickets, they looked up and started taking us seriously. It has been a good journey, very fruitful. I have no regrets, I am happy. Money is not everything. No one can take away the pride, we are the founding members, the pioneers, we laid a solid foundation for women’s cricket. If there is a Harmanpreet, Smriti, Radha Yadav and others, that is because we laid the foundation, on which the entire structure has been built now.
Photo credit for the cover photo – BCCI.
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