New Delhi, March 14: Indian cricketer Deepti Sharma has called for greater encouragement and support for young girls in sport, saying that the growing visibility of women athletes is helping change mindsets across the country.
Speaking at the launch of the BBC and Collective Newsroom report on women’s participation in sport, Sharma said initiatives that highlight and celebrate women athletes play an important role in inspiring the next generation.
“It has been a good journey so far. As I have seen, many women in India and around the world are getting support through initiatives like this. It feels good that so many awardees have come from India,” Sharma said.
The study indicates that women’s participation in cricket across the 14 Indian states surveyed has doubled since 2020, rising from five percent to 10 percent. Participation among young women aged 15 to 24 has increased even more sharply, from six percent to 16 percent.
The research, based on a survey of more than 10,000 respondents conducted by Kantar between December 2025 and January 2026, also shows that 26 percent of young women now say they have considered sport as a career, up from 16 percent in 2020.
Sharma said the success and growing visibility of women’s cricket and other sports are encouraging more girls to dream of pursuing sport professionally. “After the World Cup, there have been many changes in everyone’s mindset. Whether it is a young girl or an adult, many now dream of becoming a cricketer or participating in sport,” she said.
The off-spinner added that athletes also have a responsibility to inspire and support the next generation. “I also want to support and inspire as many young girls and the next generation as possible, so that they get more encouragement and can see a better future in sport,” Sharma said.
The study also highlights growing audiences for women’s sport, with 51 percent of respondents reporting that they had followed coverage of women’s sports in the past six months. At the same time, the research notes that barriers such as safety concerns, time pressures and stereotypes about women’s sport continue to persist.
Rajya Sabha MP and BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla described the research as a positive step towards recognising and encouraging women athletes. “I think it is a wonderful initiative and a very good effort. The BBC has consistently encouraged women players, not just in cricket but across different sports,” Shukla said.
“They organise such initiatives and awards that give respect and recognition to women in sport. Studies like this help understand people’s responses and encourage more discussion around women’s sport.”
The study also highlights growing audiences for women’s sport, with 51 percent of respondents reporting that they had followed coverage of women’s sport in the past six months. Viewership of women’s cricket competitions has also risen significantly, reflecting the increasing popularity of women’s cricket in India.
At the same time, the research notes that barriers such as safety concerns, time pressures and stereotypes about women’s sport continue to exist, underlining the need for continued efforts to support women athletes and expand opportunities for participation.
