Sneh Rana credits WPL, overseas exposure for new era of fearless women’s cricket

World Cup winner Sneh Rana said the Women’s Premier League and regular international exposure have transformed women’s cricket in India. Speaking on JioStar’s Celebrating Champions, she praised the new generation’s confidence and unity, while Shafali Verma recalled her emotional comeback.

Hyderabad: “Earlier, we used to wait a long time for international tours because there were very few matches. Now, we get regular opportunities to play abroad, and that has made a huge difference. Playing on different pitches and in different conditions teaches you how to adjust quickly. That exposure has really helped our development,” World Cup winner Sneh Rana said in a chat on JioStar’s Celebrating Champions.

On the confidence of the new generation of players:

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“Today’s youngsters have so much clarity and confidence. In our early days, we were shy to ask questions, even though our seniors were supportive. But these girls go straight up and talk openly. Their self-belief is inspiring; we learn from them too. This fearless mindset is something that has changed women’s cricket.”

On the impact of the TATA WPL:

“The growth starts from domestic cricket, especially now that matches are televised. Young girls watch and feel motivated to represent their states. WPL has sped up this entire process. Look at Shree Charani, she’s new to international cricket but plays with so much calm. That confidence comes from sharing dressing rooms with big international players.”

On the team’s unity during the World Cup:

“This team stayed positive through everything. Even after losing three matches in a row, no one panicked. We believed that one good game could change our momentum. The support staff and players never lost faith, and that belief helped us go all the way.”

On honouring the pioneers of women’s cricket:

“People used to question women’s cricket itself. Legends like Anjum Chopra, Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Veda Krishnamurthy and Punam Raut fought through that phase and still kept pushing the game forward. They built the platform that made our journey easier. Winning this World Cup and sharing that moment with them meant everything to us.”

Speaking on JioStar’s ‘Celebrating Champions’, opener Shafali Verma reflected on her emotional return:

“Getting selected for the semi-final was the happiest moment for me after being out of the team for a year. That time was very tough, but I kept working. When Pratika Rawal got injured and I got called in, I felt like God noticed my hard work. No one wants to replace a teammate due to injury, but I was grateful to get the chance to contribute.”

On lifting the World Cup trophy:

“When we lifted the trophy at DY Patil Stadium, it felt like all our hard work paid off. The stadium atmosphere gave us extra energy. I want to thank Anjum Didi and all our seniors who kept women’s cricket alive with their passion. We are living the golden era they helped create, and this trophy is as much theirs as it is ours.”