Happy Women's Day - A Salute To Women Entrepreneurs In Cricket

The women in cricket, despite not being amongst the 'popular fan faces', have played a massive role in the development of the sport. They have been associated with the game for many decades now.

Cricket World Cup is certainly one of the most-watched tournament sport for many years now. Yet, only a few would agree to know that it was the brainchild of Rachel Hayhoe-Flint. 

Rachel Hayhoe-Flint, a fundraiser, a publicist, a shrewd businesswoman who could spot media opportunities well before anyone else. Flint was the captain of the English cricket team, who led her country in the inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1973 and won. 

Rachel was a warrior who fought the battle alone and then wrote about it in the newspapers the next day. She did it for most of her matches she played in. 

A few women, if not many, have followed Rachel in terms of the business tactics in cricket. Indian Premier League(IPL), one of India's most highly valued tournament, not only in terms of cricket but in the business sense of things, have allowed women to step forward and set up things on their terms. 

One of the premier examples of a woman leading from the front is Mumbai Indians' team owner Neeta Ambani. Mumbai, the most successful team in IPL history, is run by her. The team is regarded for its best management and system they provide as a franchise. 

The players are groomed and developed right from the grassroots level which Mumbai provides. The franchise has opened up academies in schools for under 14 & 16 girls and boys. They are one of the few teams that have shown their interest in having a franchise-based women IPL. 

Just like Mumbai, Rajasthan Royals has also been pro-active in developing players from the grassroots level. Royals were previously owned by actress and cricket enthusiast Shilpa Shetty. For eight years, she owned a stake in the Rajasthan-based IPL franchise. 

The Bollywood connection of cricket gets strong with the edition of Preity Zinta and Juhi Chawla co-owning IPL franchises as well. Preity holds a stake for Punjab Kings(formerly known as Kings XI Punjab) while Juhi is engaged with Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) from the start. 

Both the franchises are similarly run. They have not only made a base in India but have managed to crack the international market as well. Zinta owns a stake in the South Africa T20 league team Stellenbosch Kings since 2017. Juhi Chawla's franchise owns a franchise in Caribbean Premier  League - Trinbago Knight Riders and have invested in upcoming American T20 tournament - Major League Cricket. 

Cricket has always been a sport that was influenced by major decisions taken by women. It just takes one to notice and applaud the way a full crowd at Lord's did it to the Rachel Hayhoe Flint's team when they first walked out of the Pavillion to step into the world they created.