Significant Growth in Women's Cricket Participation Across India: New Study Reveals

A recent study shows a significant rise in women's cricket participation in India, with numbers doubling since 2020. The research highlights that 25% of young women are considering sports careers, and cricket has become the most played sport among women in the surveyed states. Despite these advancements, challenges such as safety concerns and perceptions of women's sports remain. The findings aim to foster discussions on supporting female athletes and addressing ongoing barriers. Discover more about the trends and insights from this comprehensive study.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 14, 2026, 02:13 IST

Study Highlights Surge in Women's Cricket Engagement

A comprehensive study conducted by a prominent media outlet in collaboration with Collective Newsroom has revealed a remarkable increase in women's involvement in cricket across 14 Indian states since 2020.

The findings indicate that 25% of young women aged 15 to 24 are now considering a career in sports.

The percentage of women participating in cricket has doubled, rising from 5% in 2020 to 10% in the latest survey. Among young women, the increase is even more pronounced, with 16% now playing cricket compared to just 6% previously.

Cricket has solidified its status as the leading sport for women in the surveyed regions, surpassing kabaddi, which it narrowly led in 2020.

Participation rates have improved in nearly all regions, with Uttar Pradesh witnessing a tenfold increase, from 1% to 10%.

The gender disparity in cricket participation has also decreased, with the current ratio being three men for every woman playing cricket, down from five men in 2020.

The study reveals broader trends as well: 26% of young women have considered a sports career, a rise from 16% in 2020, with Tamil Nadu leading at 27%.

Over half of the respondents (51%) reported following women's sports coverage recently, narrowing the gap with men's sports coverage.

Viewership for the T20 Challenge, a precursor to the Women's Premier League, has increased from 15% in 2020 to 28% now.

Support for the national women's team has become the primary reason for following women's sports, a shift from general interest in sports noted in 2020.

Participation in badminton has also seen an uptick among women, especially in Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

However, challenges persist: 13% of women not participating in sports cite safety concerns, while 43% believe women's sports are less entertaining than men's.

Additionally, 65% of non-participating respondents attribute their inactivity to time constraints.

Rupa Jha, Editor-in-Chief and Co-founder of Collective Newsroom, commented on the findings, stating, 'The results indicate both advancements and ongoing obstacles. While participation and viewership are on the rise, stereotypes and practical challenges continue to exist. We hope this data will inspire further dialogue and initiatives to support female athletes.'

This study builds on a previous survey conducted by a global research firm, which involved over 10,000 face-to-face interviews across 14 Indian states.

The results were compared to a similar survey from 2020, part of the BBC's Indian Sportswoman of the Year initiative, which celebrates the achievements of Indian female athletes.