New Delhi: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar believes Indian women’s cricket is standing at the doorstep of a defining era, one that could inspire generations just as the men’s World Cup victory of 1983 did for him as a child.

Writing in his column for the International Cricket Council (ICC), Tendulkar recalled how, as a 10-year-old, he was spellbound by Kapil Dev’s men lifting the trophy at Lord’s. He spoke of Mohinder Amarnath’s heroics, Kapil’s unbeaten 175 against Zimbabwe, and how those stories shaped his own dream of donning the India jersey.

Now, Tendulkar says, the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup could spark the same fire in countless young girls across India. “Somewhere in Moga, a teenager may be clutching her bat tighter, wanting to be like Harmanpreet Kaur. In Sangli, another girl may be perfecting her drives, dreaming of becoming the next Smriti Mandhana,” he wrote.

The maestro praised Harmanpreet’s iconic 171 against Australia in 2017, calling it a turning point that brought women’s cricket into the limelight. He also hailed Smriti Mandhana as a symbol of modern India’s confidence, noting her effortless timing and her record-breaking 50-ball century against Australia.

But Tendulkar stressed that this World Cup is bigger than any one player. It represents a movement to break barriers and ensure that every girl with a bat in hand knows the sport welcomes her.

He credited the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah for bringing transformative changes, from equal match fees to professional opportunities, giving women players the respect and support they long deserved. Tendulkar also lauded the ICC’s decision to announce record prize money for this tournament, even greater than that of the men’s World Cup in 2023, calling it a powerful signal of equality.

As India’s women prepare for the global stage, Tendulkar believes they carry not only the nation’s hopes but also the power to redefine the game. “Just as 1983 gave Indian cricket a new identity, this World Cup can do the same for women’s cricket in India,” he said.

And, echoing his own childhood, Tendulkar imagined a young girl watching the tournament today who may one day say: that was the day my journey began.