KOCHI: Kerala defeating Maharashtra by five wickets to lift the Women's U-23 Twenty20 Cricket Championship at the BKC Ground in Mumbai on Wednesday is proof that the state's investment in women's game is finally starting to reap rewards.
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) had set up three women's cricket academies -- at Wayanad, Thodupuzha and Kottayam -- around 2014 and is benefitting from it as the ladies brought home the state's first-ever national title in cricket overcoming mightier opponents.
Suman Sharma, former India women's team coach, has watched Kerala's progress from close quarters having served as their coach during two stints including at present. "If you take a look at the team, you realise a majority of the players came through these academies," said Sharma.
These players include Minnu Mani who scalped 11 wickets and 188 runs, including a half-century, Aneena Mathews who picked up 12 wickets and Akshaya A who amassed 139 runs. "They all put up extraordinary performances and this team can go on to dominate the game for years to come," the coach said.
"This is the result of the state association's effort to grow the women's game hand-in-hand with the men's game. Our academies are some of the best in the country when it comes to producing talented women cricketers," said KCA president Ronklin John.
Kerala had progressed to the final by topping Group B of the Super League where they defeated the likes of Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal and Punjab to face Maharashtra who qualified from Group A that featured Andhra, Railways, Haryana and Assam.
In the final, Kerala restricted Maharashtra to a first innings score of 114 for 4 to set up a comfortable chase. And Sharma, who had previously worked with the team during 2013-15, felt it was the team's fielding effort that was the major difference between the two sides.
"When I first met these players a few years back, they were showing glimpses of promise. Now, they have matured into fine cricketers. They are very receptive in training sessions and have improved on their fitness and agility helping our fielding," said Sharma.
In senior category too, Kerala reached the plate quarterfinal of the one day tournament and plate final in the T20s to secure a spot in the elite league. "This shows the women's cricket is on the rise. I see many players who have the potential to play for the national team and we should continue this progress in the coming seasons," said the former Railways coach.
Brief Scores: Maharashtra - 114 for 4 in 20 overs (MR Magre 33, Priyanka Subhash Ghodke 24, TS Hasabnis 24, Keerthy K James 1/21) lost to Kerala - 115 for 5 in 19.5 overs (Akshaya A 37, Sajana S 24 not out, Jilu George 22, Drishya IV 16 not out, MR Magre 1/13).
adwaidh@newindianexpress.com