Latest news with #IsaGuha
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Merit in showcasing women's WC in smaller cities: Isa Guha
New Delhi: There's a World Cup on the horizon — but it wouldn't be a surprise if you had no idea. The ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 is set to take place in India in a few months' time, yet there's been little to no buzz. With no campaigns, no build-up and no sense of anticipation in a country that is termed 'cricket crazy', the silence is slightly jarring. While the lack of attention can be deemed as a marketing oversight, it also appears like a missed opportunity to inspire, grow the game and to give women's cricket in India the stage it has earned. As Isa Guha, former England cricketer and now a leading voice in the game, recently said: 'This is a huge moment in time because they're going to see all these women playing cricket and go 'Yes, I feel like I can do this.'' 'It's something that we learned from the 2009 T20 World Cup in England (they beat New Zealand by six wickets). Perhaps, the foundations weren't there to really try and catch that inspiration as much as possible. And I know that India is looking to try and bid for the Olympics down the line and so one of the key elements of making India a sports-forward nation is to really engage most of the female population.' India has made big strides with the launch of the Women's Premier League (WPL) and it has expectedly brought in visibility and money to women's cricket. It is also providing legitimacy to the career aspirations of several young women. But a franchise league, despite its success, isn't enough. The World Cup is the sport's pinnacle, after all. As Guha pointed out, with visibility comes the expectation of skill and investment has led to more competitive matches and higher standards. But the same visibility must now be given to the upcoming World Cup. Viewers today don't just follow games. They follow stories. They invest in their personal journeys. Yet women cricketers rarely get the narrative build-up that their male counterparts do. This is where broadcasters need to step up and provide context. Who are these players? Where do they come from? What have they overcome? Guha summed it up well: 'Ultimately, broadcast is entertainment. Viewers connect more when you understand more about their stories.' An interesting suggestion from Guha was driving the marketing around the World Cup to be timed around the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is currently ongoing. 'It's got great attention right now and it'd be great to get some of the Indian female players talk about the Women's World Cup coming up,' she said. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) already drew scepticism with its choice of venues for the World Cup. With tried and tested cricket centres such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru missing, it remains to be seen if crowds will flock to stadiums in cities like Mullanpur, Raipur, Indore, Thiruvananthapuram and Vishakapatnam. Matches in smaller cities can help grow the game across the country but a final in a packed Eden Gardens would have sent a strong signal. It's also what the players really want – to play in the big stadiums. The balance, it seems, is missing. 'I would have loved the final to be at Eden Gardens a bit like 1997, when Australia took on New Zealand there in the Women's World Cup final and there were 90,000 people watching. But I do think there's merit in being able to showcase the women's game to different parts of the country.' According to Guha, hosting the World Cup must mean more than a few televised matches. It must leave behind something lasting. And so, what happens after will also be vital. There must be a great follow-through. If a girl in Raipur or Guwahati is inspired by what she sees, will she have access to quality cricket resources without investment at the grassroots? India cannot afford to treat this World Cup as an afterthought. The WPL has already lit the spark, hosting a well-planned World Cup in September-October can turn that momentum into a fire. And India must not let it pass by in silence.
News18
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Isa Guha's Homecoming: Memories, Family And Love For Kolkata Knight Riders
Last Updated: The former England pacer spoke of her Bengali roots in an interaction with the Kolkata Knight Riders upon return to India on holiday with her father. Former England seamer Isa Guha revealed she is a longstanding supporter of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League. Guha, who is on holiday in Kolkata with her father, spoke of her Bengali roots in an interaction with the Knight Riders in a video posted by the franchise on Instagram. Guha said she has inclinations towards the defending champions because of her Kolkata connection. 'I think that's a fair point. And I have always supported KKR from afar. Last year was very, very special,' Guha said. Watch the video here: KKR shirt from the franchise for a long time, which was eventually gifted to her during the interaction. Guha was also thrilled with the installation of the 'Jhulan Goswami Stand' at the iconic Eden Gardens, expressing her admiration for the legendary Indian pacer. Stating she is 'fully immersed in Bengali culture', Guha is loving the chance to reexplore her ancestral home upon return to India. ' Ami aktu aktu porte pari. Ami onek bhujte pari," she said in Bengali which translates to 'I can read a little. I can understand a lot.' 'I'm actually here on Holiday. I am here with my father," she said. 'Returning to Kolkata, this is where he grew up. He used to come here in the 60s and watch matches. England coming over to play India. Pankaj Roy. So yeah, great to be back," she added. 'I haven't been to Kolkata in a while. I am very connected to Kolkata. I was coming here every year and seeing my grandparents, who are sadly no longer with us. But, a lot of family is still here. Great to see the Jhulan Goswami Stand. And I played here back in 2005. A lot of memories and I have been able to commentate here as well. So very special," the English player added, During the interaction, Guha also confirmed she will be cheering for the Knight Riders in their next home clash of the IPL 2025 on Saturday, April 26, against the Punjab Kings.
