“I’m in the stands with the national flag in my hands, watching the Indian women’s team walk in for the anthem, and I feel the same goosebumps I’ve felt for years. This Women’s World Cup 2025 is special. The energy in our Bharat Army cricket fans group is high, and the focus is clear: to cheer for our Women in Blue with the same voice, heart, and commitment usually reserved for the men’s team.

Over the years, I’ve seen women’s cricket grow before my eyes. Earlier, people casually followed it, but now there is real emotional investment. The Women’s Premier League changed a lot. Equal pay, better support, more visibility—all of this has pushed the game forward. The intensity, the hunger, the fire—it’s all there. People ask what we do!

Supporting cricket isn’t about watching from a sofa and clapping for a four. We travel, stand for hours, chant, and cheer for the game of cricket and don’t stop, whether the team wins or loses. We show up. Wherever India plays, we want our presence, sound, and belief to reach the players.

This journey didn’t start here. I fell in love with cricket as a kid, watching matches with my dad, both ICC events and IPL. When the Deccan Chargers were replaced by Sunrisers Hyderabad, we formed a fan club and started organising support. I even worked as a ball boy in 2016—that’s when players encouraged me to keep doing what I love. From there, the journey grew. I built @srhfansofficial joined the Bharat Army, organised Team India activities in Hyderabad, and found a community of fans.

During college in Aurangabad, I used to travel between Hyderabad and Aurangabad during IPL season just to be there, sometimes only for a few hours. But those moments were worth it, especially when players, commentators, and coaches recognised our efforts. Meeting star cricketers, being featured at the Indian Sports Honours, getting appreciation from the veterans are memories I’ll carry forever.

Today, as India plays a World Cup on home soil, my message to everyone is to support without comparison or conditions. If you can scream for Kohli or Rohit, bring that same love for Harmanpreet, Smriti, Shafali or Renuka.”

The game is the same. The flag is the same. The emotion should be the same.

To the younger generation: go to the stadium, watch the women’s games live, feel that atmosphere. Women’s cricket doesn’t need pity—it needs participation. Once you start watching, you won’t need convincing.

As fans, our job is not to judge. Our job is to back them. So, as this World Cup unfolds, I’m here with my voice, and my faith. One heartbeat, one colour, one team, always.

Come on, Team India. 💙🇮🇳”

• Rakshith Dharma