Tag: women’s cricket

Sports

Mahesh Dessai Unveils Ambitious Vision to Transform Goan Cricket

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa Cricket Association President Mahesh Dessai has presented an ambitious and forward-looking vision aimed at transforming the cricketing landscape in Goa through transparency, professionalism, and a renewed commitment to talent development. Expressing heartfelt gratitude to GCA members and clubs for placing their trust in his leadership, Dessai emphasized that his mission is to build an ecosystem where every cricketer in the state — from budding players at the grassroots to those competing at senior levels — receives the infrastructure, coaching, and opportunities they need to excel. He reiterated that the GCA under his guidance will operate with complete transparency and accountability, ensuring that faith in the system is restored and strengthened.

Highlighting the power of inspiration in sport, Dessai referenced India’s recent triumph in the Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia, where Australia were bowled out for 337 and Jemimah Rodrigues delivered a match-winning performance that captivated the nation. He noted that such remarkable achievements become possible when athletes are supported with strong structures, belief, and consistent opportunities — the very elements he aims to bring into Goan cricket.

Dessai’s vision includes a comprehensive plan to upgrade existing stadiums, enhance ground facilities, and develop new turf wickets and indoor practice centres across the state. He stressed the importance of strengthening grassroots cricket by introducing structured coaching programs and expanding inter-school and inter-district tournaments to scout promising young talent. A significant part of his vision focuses on boosting women’s cricket through dedicated training hubs, tournaments, and mentorship programs designed to encourage greater participation and skill development among women players in Goa.

Ensuring good governance remains a key element of his roadmap, with a strong push for merit-based selections, regular financial audits, and transparent communication with member clubs. He also aims to invest in capacity building by facilitating certification and refresher courses for coaches and umpires so that the technical quality of cricket in Goa continues to rise. Dessai emphasized the importance of collaboration with the BCCI, clubs, academies, and schools, stating that unified efforts will help make Goan cricket more competitive and professionally managed.

Additionally, the new GCA leadership is keen on reviving inter-office, corporate, and veterans’ tournaments to re-energize community engagement with the sport. Plans are also underway to introduce initiatives at the community level to bring fans closer to cricket and foster a more vibrant sporting culture. With Mahesh Dessai at the helm, the Goa Cricket Association is poised to usher in a stronger, more inclusive, and purpose-driven era for cricket in the state, aiming to provide every deserving player the platform they need to shine.

Sports

Goa Pushes Major Overhaul in Women’s Cricket, Eyes New Stadium in Three Years

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Women’s cricket in Goa is set to enter a transformative phase as the Goa Cricket Association announces several key decisions aimed at rebuilding and strengthening the sport across the state. Following the Annual General Body meeting in Porvorim, GCA President Mahesh Dessai shared a detailed roadmap outlining the Association’s renewed focus on grassroots development, infrastructure creation, and a more strategic approach to talent nurturing. One of the most significant steps is the launch of five exclusive training centres dedicated entirely to girls. Dessai highlighted how the number of functional centres had previously dropped, but the Association has now revived 20 centres across the Under-16 and Under-14 categories, with the new Pink Centres designed specifically to encourage girls to take up cricket in larger numbers. National-level player Neha Tanwar has been brought on board to mentor and guide the programme, ensuring high-quality support for upcoming talent.

The GCA also stressed the importance of competitive exposure, announcing plans for intra-centre tournaments that will serve as the basis for state-team selection in the junior categories. Alongside the development of women’s cricket, the Association is once again turning its focus to the long-delayed dream of a dedicated cricket stadium for Goa. Dessai reaffirmed the commitment to begin work within the next three years, noting that the government has expressed full support. While Dhargal remains the preferred location due to its proximity to the Mopa airport and accessible infrastructure, alternative suggestions like Mauliguem are also being assessed. Permissions for construction are being renewed, and steps such as the removal of high-tension wires at the site have already been initiated.

In an effort to elevate the overall standard of cricket in the state, the GCA has hired seasoned cricketer Pritam Gandhe to coach the Under-16 team, and has revamped its selection committees by appointing former Ranji players at both senior and junior levels. Dessai emphasized that club support is strong, administrative harmony has improved, and that the Ranji team’s promising performance is partly due to a strict no-interference policy, with coaches given full freedom in their choices. Financial transparency also remains a priority, with expert consultants and ex-cricketers guiding the Association’s decisions. Another major announcement is the return of the Goa Premier League after nearly nine years, signalling the GCA’s intent to create more competitive platforms for local players. With renewed energy, structural changes, and a clear vision, the GCA is driving Goa cricket toward a more stable, inclusive, and ambitious future.

Sports

Maharashtra Government Announces ₹2.25 Crore Cash Rewards for World Cup-Winning Cricketers

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In a gesture celebrating excellence and national pride, the Maharashtra Government has announced ₹2.25 crore each for Indian cricketers Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Radha Yadav, following India’s sensational victory in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

The trio played pivotal roles in scripting one of India’s greatest sporting triumphs — a win that united the nation and showcased the rising dominance of Indian women’s cricket on the global stage.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised the players for their performance, calling them “icons of inspiration for the youth of India.” The felicitation ceremony will soon be held in Mumbai to honour the players’ achievements.

The announcement comes as a significant boost to women’s sports, emphasizing the government’s commitment to recognizing female athletes who have brought international glory to the country.

As the celebrations continue across the nation, this recognition from Maharashtra underscores the impact of India’s World Cup heroes — both on and off the field. 🇮🇳

Sports

Jay Shah’s reformist vision ushers in a Golden Era for Cricket

Tanisha Cardozo

Under the transformative leadership of Jay Shah, cricket has entered a golden era defined by equality, reform, and global expansion. As BCCI Secretary and now ICC Chairman, Mr. Shah has led a movement that reshaped not just how cricket is governed but how it is envisioned for future generations.

At the helm of the ICC, he has brought reformist energy and a commitment to inclusivity that have set new global benchmarks. His landmark decision to introduce equal prize money for men’s and women’s tournaments in 2023 was a turning point for gender equality in sports. Strengthening the ICC’s financial framework after the COVID-19 pandemic, he championed sustainability, transparency, and strategic growth—ensuring that cricket continues to thrive across emerging nations.

Mr. Shah’s instrumental role in cricket’s return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics stands as a historic achievement. Personally leading the ICC’s successful pitch to the International Olympic Committee, he fulfilled a decades-long dream of bringing cricket back to the world’s biggest sporting arena.

His journey began at the BCCI, where he revolutionized Indian cricket’s operations with governance reforms that prioritized transparency, professionalism, and data-driven decision-making. Under his leadership, the IPL grew into a global sports phenomenon with record-breaking media rights, and the Women’s Premier League emerged as the largest women’s sporting league in the world. He implemented India’s landmark pay parity policy, ensuring equal match fees for men and women cricketers—a step that inspired other sports bodies globally.

Beyond the glamour of leagues, Mr. Shah revitalized the domestic structure, significantly increasing prize money and match fees, and launching the Test Cricket Incentive Scheme to reignite interest in red-ball cricket. He also expanded the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru into a world-class hub for high-performance training and rehabilitation, setting new standards for player development.

These reforms have yielded remarkable success on the field. India’s cricketing dominance reached new heights with five ICC trophies in just three years across men’s and women’s categories, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and most recently, India’s first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025.

Reflecting on the historic women’s victory, Jay Shah remarked, “India finally lifts the World Cup! Last night was a landmark in the history of women’s cricket. Increased investment, pay parity with men’s cricketers, and the competitive spirit born from the WPL have shaped this incredible achievement.”

With vision and conviction, Jay Shah has not only modernized cricket’s governance but redefined its spirit. His leadership continues to unite the game under one purpose—to make cricket truly global, equitable, and limitless in possibility.

Sports

BCCI Announces Equal Match Fees for Men and Women Cricketers

Tanisha Cardozo

In a landmark decision that redefines the future of Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that men’s and women’s Indian international cricketers will now receive equal match fees across all formats. From now on, both men and women representing India will earn ₹15 lakh for a Test match, ₹6 lakh for a One Day International (ODI), and ₹3 lakh for a T20 International.

The announcement was made by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who described the move as a crucial step toward eliminating gender disparity in the sport. “The match fee for both men and women cricketers will be the same as we move into a new era of gender equality in Indian cricket,” he stated.

Previously, women cricketers in India earned much lower match fees — approximately ₹1 lakh for a limited-overs international and ₹4 lakh for a Test match. This new structure brings them on par with their male counterparts for the first time in history, sending a powerful message of equality and respect.

While this pay parity covers match fees, annual contract retainers remain separate. Under the current structure, women’s Grade A contracts stand at ₹50 lakh per year, while men’s retainers vary from ₹1 crore to ₹7 crore depending on category. However, the introduction of pay parity for matches is widely seen as a foundational step toward broader financial equality.

The decision reflects the growing stature of women’s cricket in India, following recent milestones such as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and improved performances on the global stage. It also aligns with the BCCI’s stated goal of empowering women athletes and building a sustainable professional ecosystem for the women’s game.

Players, fans, and sports advocates across the country have hailed the move as historic. Former Indian women’s captain Mithali Raj described it as a “red-letter day for Indian cricket,” while current players and commentators called it “a victory for fairness and recognition.”

This landmark decision not only acknowledges the efforts and commitment of India’s women cricketers but also sets a global example for sporting federations worldwide. It underscores that talent, dedication, and performance — not gender — should determine a player’s worth on the field.

As Indian cricket moves forward, the BCCI’s pay-equity policy marks a defining moment in the country’s sporting narrative — one that paves the way for greater inclusivity, equality, and respect across all formats of the game.