New Delhi, Oct 31: Shubhangi Kulkarni, a pioneering figure in Indian women's cricket, vividly remembers the excitement surrounding India's inaugural women's Test match against the West Indies in 1976. This historic game, played at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, marked the first international outing for the Indian women's team.

“All of us were very excited. We were all very young, mostly college-going girls around 17 or 18 years old,” Kulkarni shared, reflecting on a time when international exposure was a rare thrill. As a leg-spinner from Pune, Kulkarni made a remarkable debut, taking 5-48 in the first innings and finishing with 7-76, becoming the third-youngest debutant in women’s Test history at 17 years and 104 days.

The team, having trained under former India batter Lala Amarnath, found self-belief. Kulkarni's 23 wickets in that six-match series remain a joint record. She recalled the overwhelming crowd response after India's first Test victory in Patna, a testament to the growing interest in women's cricket.

Kulkarni also highlighted the significant challenges faced by early women cricketers, including parental concerns about injuries and the financial burden of self-funded travel. “The biggest challenge for most girls was getting permission from home to play cricket,” she noted.

Her own career spanned 15 years, including 17 consecutive Tests and five five-wicket hauls, a joint world record. Beyond the field, as honorary secretary of the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI), Kulkarni was instrumental in its 2006 merger with the BCCI, a move she credits to former BCCI president Sharad Pawar. This merger revolutionized facilities and opportunities for women cricketers.

Today, Kulkarni applauds the BCCI's support, from top-class grounds and luxurious travel to equal match fees and the transformative Women's Premier League (WPL). She expressed immense satisfaction at India's first ICC Women’s ODI World Cup win, acknowledging the current team's respect for pioneers and the foundational work of individuals like Mahendra Kumar Sharma.

Looking ahead, Kulkarni welcomes India's hosting of the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027, seeing it as a perfect moment for the fastest-growing sport in India.

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