The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team made history by clinching India’s maiden Women’s World Cup title at Navi Mumbai on Sunday. But very few people are aware that the Indian women’s team won their first-ever international title way back in 1995, that too in New Zealand, in a tri-nation tournament that also involved the mighty Australians.
Thirty years ago, the Purnima Rau-led Indian team stunned a strong New Zealand by 20 runs in the final. All-rounder Rau led from the front with a 51-ball 48 to propel India to a score of 200 in 50 overs. In reply, the hosts were restricted to 180-8 in 50 overs, with Rau picking up figures of 3-50, as she duly won the Player of the Final award.
‘A huge moment for the team’
“I received 200 New Zealand dollars. It was a huge moment for the Indian team. We went in as the underdogs, since we had a poor record outside India. No one expected us to beat New Zealand or Australia. [But] we proved the detractors wrong. In fact, we garnered more attention than the Mohammed Azharuddin-led men’s team, as they had a poor tour of New Zealand then,’’ Rau, 58, told mid-day while making a reference to the Indian men’s team finishing last in a quadrangular series involving New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in 1994-95.
The Purnima Rau-led Indian team that won the tri-series in 1995. Pic/Purnima Rau’s Personal Collection
Back then, the women’s team were under the aegis of the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI), with financial backing for the players rather scarce. “We received R1000 for a one-day match. We went with a manager [Jyoti Joshi] and two coaches. I remember Jyoti madam wearing the same saree until the final, as a superstition, after we beat New Zealand in the first league match. We topped the table with five points and qualified for the final, along with second-placed New Zealand, who pipped Australia. We had a good team — Sandhya Agarwal, Neetu David, Pramila Bhat, Anjum Chopra, Anju Jain, Sangita Dabir, among others. There was no cash award from WCAI. But we were happy to simply get noticed,’’ recalled Rau, who played 33 ODIs and five Tests.
Rau was thrilled that the women’s team came out victorious at this World Cup. “I could see it coming, as we had seen strong performances from them of late. I’m happy that the BCCI announced a R51 crore cash award. That is a big motivation for any team. It is like the 1983 World Cup win of Kapil Dev. This World Cup win could be a big game-changer for women’s cricket in the country. Ever since women’s cricket has come under the BCCI’s fold, the cricketers are getting cash benefits, facilities, a good number of tournaments from junior level onwards, and sponsors. A few years ago, very few people would come to watch a women’s international match. But on Sunday, there was a full house for the final. It was a coming of age for women’s cricket. In our time, it was all a struggle, but we played with a lot of passion. Things were actually a little better when we played, but it was worse during the Shanta Rangaswamy, Diana Edulji, Sudha Shah era. When I recall those days, it was crazy,’’ said Rau.
Women’s cricket ODI World Cup champions India. Pic/Atul Kamble
Rau said the state women’s teams faced all kinds of challenges those days. “We travelled in unreserved bogies, keeping kit bags near the toilets, and drinking water from the platforms. We also slept in veterinary hospitals,’’ explained Rau.
Brief stint as India coach
After retirement, Rau had a stint as the coach of the Indian team from 2014-17. “We had the distinction of winning the Asia Cup, and we beat Australia 2-1 in a T20I series Down Under. For reasons best known to the authorities then, I was removed as coach one month before the World Cup in 2017,’’ a disappointed Rau concluded.