More women in India are stepping onto cricket fields than ever before, highlighting a shift in sports participation and attitudes toward female athletes across the country. <\/p>\n
The research, conducted across 14 Indian states, found that one in ten women now say they play cricket, a noticeable increase compared with findings from a similar survey conducted in 2020. The results suggest that women\u2019s participation in the traditionally male-dominated sport is steadily rising, News.Az<\/a> reports, citing BBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n The study, carried out by Collective Newsroom as part of the Indian<\/a> Sportswoman of the Year initiative, surveyed 10,304 respondents aged 15 and above to examine participation levels and public perceptions of women\u2019s sports.<\/p>\n In 2020, the gap between male and female cricket participation was stark. Men were five times more likely to play cricket than women.<\/p>\n By 2026, however, the difference had narrowed significantly. Men are now three times more likely to play the sport, indicating growing female involvement.<\/p>\n Researchers defined \u201cplaying\u201d as anyone who said they currently participate in the sport. Among the women who reported playing cricket, 40% said they play at least once a week, showing that many are engaging regularly rather than casually.<\/p>\n The findings suggest that cricket is no longer just a spectator sport for women in India but is increasingly becoming a recreational and competitive activity.<\/p>\n The survey highlights young women aged 15 to 24 as the most influential demographic behind the growth of women\u2019s sports participation and viewership.<\/p>\n Within this age group, 26% said they have considered pursuing sports as a career, a significant jump from 16% in 2020.<\/p>\n This growing interest signals a shift in aspirations among young women, who increasingly see sports as a viable professional path rather than simply a hobby.<\/p>\n The rise in participation also reflects broader social changes, including improved visibility of female athletes, expanding sports programs, and increased media coverage of women\u2019s competitions.<\/p>\n Recent international successes by Indian female athletes appear to be fueling this surge in interest.<\/p>\n Indian shooter Manu Bhaker made headlines at the 2024 Summer Olympics, winning two medals and becoming one of the standout performers for India.<\/p>\n The same year, Indian women also achieved success at the 2024 Summer Paralympics, securing 10 medals.<\/p>\n Momentum continued in 2025 when the India women’s national cricket team captured its first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title on home soil.<\/p>\n These achievements have elevated the visibility of female athletes and appear to be motivating younger audiences to follow and participate in sports themselves.<\/p>\n Interest in women\u2019s competitions is also rising among spectators.<\/p>\n The study found that 51% of respondents said they had followed women\u2019s sports coverage in the past six months. While this figure still trails the 63% who follow men\u2019s sports, the gap is relatively small compared with historical trends.<\/p>\n Live viewing data reveals a similar pattern.<\/p>\n About 43% of respondents said they watched women\u2019s sporting events live, compared with 54% who watched men\u2019s games.<\/p>\n When it comes to attending events in person, the difference is even narrower. Twenty-nine percent said they had attended women\u2019s sports events, while 37% reported attending men\u2019s competitions.<\/p>\n These figures suggest that audiences are becoming more open to supporting women\u2019s sports both on television and in stadiums.<\/p>\n Cricket is not the only sport experiencing a rise in female participation.<\/p>\n Badminton has also seen growth, with 6% of women surveyed saying they play the sport, compared with 4% in 2020.<\/p>\n Badminton has long been one of India\u2019s most successful Olympic sports, and the presence of internationally recognized players has helped keep the sport popular among younger generations.<\/p>\n The new data suggests that women are increasingly participating in a wider range of athletic activities beyond cricket.<\/p>\n Despite the positive trends, the study highlights that long-standing stereotypes about women in sports continue to persist.<\/p>\n Around 43% of respondents said they believe women\u2019s sports are less entertaining than men\u2019s, up from 38% in 2020.<\/p>\n Another perception gaining traction is that female athletes may not appear \u201cfeminine enough,\u201d reflecting cultural expectations that continue to shape attitudes toward sportswomen.<\/p>\n Interestingly, these opinions are not limited to men.<\/p>\n Nearly one in two respondents said sportswomen should look attractive, and women were more likely than men to agree with that statement, according to the survey.<\/p>\n Researchers say such attitudes can influence how female athletes are perceived and promoted in media coverage and sponsorship deals.<\/p>\n While women\u2019s participation is increasing in certain sports, the overall number of people playing sports in India has only improved modestly.<\/p>\n The survey shows that 74% of respondents said they played sports as children, up slightly from 69% in 2020.<\/p>\n However, only about half continue to participate in sports as adults, suggesting that many people drop out as responsibilities grow.<\/p>\n The most common reason cited for not playing sports was lack of time, with two-thirds of respondents saying busy schedules prevent them from participating.<\/p>\n Taken together, the findings paint a picture of a country where attitudes toward women in sports are gradually evolving.<\/p>\n More women are playing, more audiences are watching, and more young people are considering sports as a career path.<\/p>\n At the same time, social expectations and structural barriers remain significant challenges.<\/p>\n Still, researchers say the momentum generated by recent sporting achievements and rising media visibility could continue to reshape the landscape of women\u2019s sports in India in the years ahead.<\/p>\n