Anjum Chopra Exclusive: Inside Indian Women's Cricket, Expectations and the specialty of Shubman Gill

In recent years, Indian women's cricket has witnessed a remarkable transformation, highlighted by historic series wins on foreign soil and the emergence of young, fearless talent.

The team's recent success in England, where they clinched both the T20 and ODI series for the first time, marks a significant milestone in the journey of Indian women's cricket. This progress is not only a reflection of collective team effort but also the rising influence of domestic platforms like the Women's Premier League (WPL), which has expanded opportunities for emerging players.

With the ICC Women's ODI World Cup soon to be hosted in India after more than a decade, there is growing anticipation and expectation around the team's potential to excel on the world stage.

To gain deeper insights into these developments, MyKhel spoke exclusively with former India women's cricket captain Anjum Chopra. Drawing on her vast experience and keen understanding of the game, Chopra shares her perspective on the team's historic victories, the impact of the WPL, the continued importance of domestic cricket, the challenges of maintaining consistency, and what it takes for India to compete and win in upcoming ICC events.

A Milestone Victory in England

"Winning in England has never been easy and this team has done it. For the first time, we've won both the T20 and ODI series in England. This is a step better than what we've done in the past. Earlier, we didn't have T20s-it was just ODIs and Tests. Now, we have both, and going forward, Tests will also be included," Anjum Chopra notes, emphasizing the steady progress of the Indian team.

She regards these dual series wins as meaningful steps for the Indian women's cricket, which has taken some great leaps in recent times.

"At least we are not stagnant, or losing by the same margin as before. It's improvement-sometimes significant, sometimes slow, but unmistakable progress. It's a very good step for Indian women's cricket."

Chopra highlights how individual responsibility has lifted team performance- "If we break it down, individual brilliance-whether in batting, bowling, or in the field-has been evident. This builds confidence for ICC events, especially in crunch situations."

The WPL Effect and the Rise of Young Players

Anjum Chopra believes the WPL has created the assurance of te conveyor belt of talents in Indian cricket.

"Before the WPL, there was uncertainty about the depth of our domestic talent. But with five franchise teams, the pool has expanded tremendously. Players now know they must perform to get a WPL or even a state team call-up. The platform pushes everyone to raise their game."

On young sensations like Kranti God and Shree Charani, she observes the fastracking to the national team, which has in turn served Indian cricket well.

"They got opportunities sooner, partly because established bowlers were injured. But to use that chance is down to their own skill and mindset. Where earlier many took 2-3 years to make an impression, players like Charani and Kranti have stepped up much faster."

"Whether it's England or India, playing for the country is an honor but also brings pressure. Especially abroad, young players must rely on themselves and their teammates. If they perform consistently, full credit goes to them."

The Opening Combination and World Cup Prospects

On India's opening pair, with Smriti Mandhana the mainstay, Chopra remarks:

"The whole game is open right now. Pratika Rawal has done decently, but if she doesn't perform, she'll be replaced. The same with Shafali. It's not about certainty-this is India, and nobody has a guarantee of a spot. Everyone must earn their place by performing."

Consistency, Adaptability, and the World Cup at Home

Looking ahead to the Women's ODI World Cup - hosted in India for the first time since 2013, Chopra lays out what the team needs. She believes the adaptability of the Indian team will play a crucial part and believes consistency will determine the fate.

"To win the World Cup, consistency is key. In a round-robin, you'll win some and lose some. What keeps you in contention is your ability to recover from losses and maintain momentum from wins. Belief and adaptability are going to be critical. India will play at multiple venues; rapid adaptation will be essential, and that's a big challenge. Also the senior players will play a crucial part."

On Men's Team and England Series

Reflecting on the Men's team, the legendary cricketer believes Shubman Gill and his boys could have been 3-0 up. She also heaps huge praises on the India skipper, who took the captain's armband in the England series.

"We could have been 3-0 up if we'd seized key moments, but the reality is we're behind. Still, every new day brings new expectations. That's a sportsperson's job - to believe and to keep trying. Problems are known; the challenge is to find solutions, and we must face them head-on."

Shubman Gill - A Leader and Batter

Shubman Gill took over as India's Test captain in May 2025 following Rohit Sharma's retirement, marking a new era in Indian cricket. At 25, Gill is praised for his calm temperament and ability to separate his batting and leadership roles mentally. A promising leader, he is backed by experienced players and coaching staff, with his captaincy debut in England signalling a fresh start for the team. And on the Punjab-born, Anjum only has good words to say.

"He's done well to separate his batting and captaincy roles mentally. That is the best thing about him. When batting, he plays as a frontline batsman; when leading, he's focused on the team. No one can fill another's shoes-every captain and every player has a unique style. I have seen his journey since his younger days and he's a good learner and, with strong support around him, he'll keep improving."