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New Delhi: As Harmanpreet Kaur-led India gear up to face South Africa in the much-anticipated final of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, India’s first women’s cricket team captain, Shantha Rangaswamy, recently recalled the struggles her team used to face during her playing days. Rangaswamy revealed that the Indian women’s team players used to travel in unreserved coaches on trains and sleep on the floor.

Rangaswamy, who is 71 now, made her debut for the Indian women’s cricket team in a Test match against the West Indies women’s cricket team in November 1976. She was the first player to be appointed as the captain of the women’s team. Rangaswamy played 16 Tests and 19 ODIs for India from 1976 to 1991.

Ahead of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 final between India and South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, Rangaswamy recalled the difficulties Indian women’s cricketers faced in the past. With little to no support from the Indian cricket board, the players used to sleep on the floor in dormitories and had to carry their own bedding along with their kits.

“From travelling in unreserved coaches to sleeping in dormitories on the floor, we even had to carry our own bedding and other essentials. We would have the cricket kit strapped on our backs like a backpack and a suitcase in one hand,” Rangaswamy said in an interaction with PTI.

However, the former Indian women’s cricket team captain expressed her happiness at the current lot getting all the facilities they deserve. Rangaswamy credited the BCCI and the state associations for nurturing women’s cricket while also lauding the current group of players for the way they have performed in the recent past.

“But we are so happy that the current lot is getting all the facilities they deserve. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the results are showing now. All the efforts of the girls, the BCCI, and the state associations have contributed immensely to the success of women’s cricket,” said the 71-year-old.

“The foundation we laid back then, almost 50 years ago, is bearing fruit now,” she added with pride.

The BCCI has worked tirelessly towards improving the standards of women’s cricket in India. From age-group tournaments to domestic matches and quality international series throughout the year, the current group of players have got all sorts of support. BCCI has also adopted equal pay, giving the Indian women’s cricketers the same match fee as their male counterparts.

India aim to lift maiden Women’s ODI World Cup trophy

India will aim to lift their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup trophy when they lock horns with South Africa in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. India have made it to the ODI World Cup final twice in the past, but have failed to go the distance. Meanwhile, South Africa, who beat England in the semi-finals, are playing their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup final.

South Africa beat India by three wickets when the two teams met in the group stage of the tournament. However, after their stunning win over Australia, India will be riding high on confidence and will have the home crowd’s support as they aim to script history.