ICC U-19 Women’s World Cup starts from January 14

Ahead of the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar has said that this event in South Africa will have a significant impact on the future of women’s cricket. He thinks that such an event will allow players to understand and play the game in more commanding manner at the biggest stage.

The first U19 Women’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to start on January 14 with 16 teams competing to become the first to win the prized trophy.

Although winning a trophy is a huge motivation, the competition also gives young women cricketers a huge chance to compete on a big platform and acquire important global exposure.

Some of today’s brightest players were first discovered at the U19 Men’s World Cups, such as Virat Kohli, Ben Stokes, Kane Williamson, Kagiso Rabada, and more recently, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shubman Gill. All went big in their career, now representing senior side and some have even captained the side.

Sachin Tendulkar thought the forthcoming competition and subsequent editions may have a similar effect on women’s cricket.

The senior women’s competition, which gets off in South Africa on February 10, will come after the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. The final between Australia and India drew 86,000 spectators to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the previous tournament’s resounding victory.

When picking his favourites for the competition, Sachin predicted Australia will also go to the finals, but he also voiced optimism that India would end their title-winning curse in South Africa this year.

“This season is huge for women’s cricket as fans around the world shift their gaze to South Africa for the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup,” wrote Sachin Tendulkar.

“While the Women’s T20 World Cup has been played for several years now, the Under-19 event is a first-time event and one that holds a lot of promise. I think this can transform the landscape since a global platform will ensure great learning and experience to young women cricketers.

“Though women’s cricket has made huge strides, there are areas still to be tapped. What is required right now is a more robust grassroots system across the world. The larger we spread the base, the more talent we will unearth and that will have a direct bearing on the quality of the game.”

“Two-time defending champions Australia obviously go in as the favourites for the senior event while Harmanpreet’s side will be looking for their breakout moment after India missed out on World Cup titles in three previous finals – the 50-over World Cups of 2005 and 2017 and the 2020 T20 World Cup.

“I wish the Indian team as well as the players from the other teams all the very best for these two tournaments. Of course, players will aim for victories, but I would ask everyone to just go out and enjoy playing the game on the biggest stage.”