The Women’s Cricket World Cup is set to begin Tuesday with eight nations competing for an unprecedented $13.88 million (about ₹123.1 crore) prize purse in India and Sri Lanka. The 13th edition of the tournament, featuring record prize money exceeding the men’s World Cup, marks a significant advancement for women’s cricket with matches scheduled across multiple venues, including Pakistan’s games in Colombo.The tournament opens in Guwahati with co-hosts India facing Sri Lanka. Pakistan will play all their matches in Colombo as part of a compromise agreement for neutral venues in multi-nation tournaments.“You do get the feeling this could be a seismic moment for the women’s game. I think we’ll all look back on our careers when we’re retired and mark the World Cup in India as a game-changer,” England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said on the International Cricket Council website.Seven-time champions Australia enter as favorites, though captain Alyssa Healy anticipates fierce competition.“This is going to be the toughest World Cup we’ve ever been a part of. Australia has a rich history in this format and in World Cups, but I think every single team is going to be tough to beat,” said Healy.India, twice runners-up, seeks their first title on home soil where cricket commands massive following among 1.4 billion people.Women’s cricket has experienced substantial growth over the past decade. Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League launched in 2015, followed by India’s Women’s Premier League in 2023, which generated $700 million in franchise and media rights.Indian players Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana have become prominent figures, securing major sponsorships and media attention.ICC chairman Jay Shah’s initiative for equal match fees for women and men has been praised by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.“You cannot make out whether the boys are playing or girls. The top class skill and the technique will attract eyeballs on television and get the game more fans. Expect packed stadiums at centres across India,” Saikia told AFP.The tournament promises high-scoring matches, with participating teams crossing the 300-run mark 34 times since 2022. Australia and India have each scored over 400 runs once during this period.Rising stars to watch include Indian fast bowler Kranti Goud, New Zealand batter Georgia Plimmer, England’s Lauren Bell, and South African all-rounder Annerie Dercksen.This marks India’s fourth time hosting the Women’s ODI World Cup, following previous tournaments in 1978, 1997, and 2013.England, last victorious in 2017 and runners-up in 2022, aim for their fifth title.The final will take place on November 2, with the venue – either Mumbai or Colombo – dependent on Pakistan’s progress in the tournament.
