47 Years Ago: Looking Back At India Women’s 1978 World Cup Debut

Poulomi Chakraborty

First Indian Women's Team With Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (Source: @IndiaHistorypic/x.com)First Indian Women's Team With Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (Source: @IndiaHistorypic/x.com)

Cricket was introduced to the world long ago, but women’s cricket bloomed much later. Despite women’s cricket arriving in the Indian subcontinent in 1973, they had to wait until their first match in 1976, and participation in the women’s World Cup was beyond imagination.

As the Women’s Cricket World Cup was introduced in 1973, the India Women didn’t play. It wasn’t until 1978 that they made their World Cup debut. So, how did they fare in their very first outing? Let’s take a trip down memory lane to that historic edition.

The 1973 Women’s World Cup: Where India Women Didn’t Make Their Mark

Even though Women's cricket entered the cricket world long ago, India waited for a long time to see women rocking on the big stage. After the Women’s Cricket Association in India was formed in 1973, the Indian Women’s team was formed, and women’s cricket got a go in the country.

As the cricket world was already witnessing women’s cricket in Western countries, the first edition of the Women’s World Cup was introduced in 1973. Teams like England and Australia made their mark, but for the India Women, the inaugural edition ended in heartbreak.

The Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) was established that same year, but women’s cricket in India was still in its infancy. With limited structure, experience, and funding, the sport hadn’t yet developed enough at the national level for India’s team to compete internationally, keeping them out of the inaugural World Cup.

Women’s World Cup 1978: Beginning Of A New Era In Indian Women’s Cricket

After stepping into the Women’s Cricket World in 1973, India Women’s remarkable rise grabbed attention as the team hoisted the 1978 Women’s World Cup after missing out on the inaugural edition due to a lack of structure. Even before stepping into the field, Team India marked a revolutionary step.

The tournament, held from January 1 to 13 in a round-robin format, was proudly hosted across four Indian cities. As it was the first cricket tournament hosted by India, four teams, India, Australia, New Zealand, and England, participated in the tournament.

Team India’s 1978 World Cup Warriors

As the India Women stepped into the tournament first time in 1978, a star-studded squad took the field in that edition. Under Diana Edulji’s leadership, they marked their first World Cup Assignment. But who were the other warriors? Let’s take a look at the full squad.

India Women’s Full Squad: Diana Edulji (c), Gargi Banerji, Runa Basu, Lopamudra Bhattacharjee, Sharmila Chakraborty, Rajeshwari Dholakia, Susan Itticheria, Nilima Jogalekar, Fowzieh Khalili, Shubhangi Kulkarni, Sandhya Mazumdar, Ujwala Nikam, Shobha Pandit, Kalpan Paropkari, Sudha Shah, Anjali Sharma.

Remembering India Women’s Performance In The First-ever Women’s World Cup

Stepping into the tournament for the first time, India Women faced their first opponent, England, in the second group stage of the tournament at the Eden Gardens. Captain Diana Edulji top-scored with 18, but the rest of the batting lineup collapsed for just 63 runs. England comfortably chased the target in 31 overs, handing India a heavy 9-wicket defeat in their opening campaign.

In the second match, India Women faced New Zealand and had yet another heartbreak. Setting a modest target of 130 in 50 overs, they watched the Kiwi Women comfortably chase it down in just 44 overs, handing India another heavy 9-wicket defeat.

Australia turned out to be their third competitor in the tournament. While bowling first, the Indian bowlers showcased class as Lopamudra Chatterjee secured two crucial scalps while conceding 28 runs. But the batting order crumbled while chasing the 151-run target and faced a 71-run defeat.

A Winless First Edition Marks A Beginning Of Domination

Marking their first outing on the big stage of the Women’s World Cup in 1978, India Women registered a winless season. It may be looked at as a failed campaign, but the phoenix often rises from the ashes, and the story for the India Women turned out to be a similar one. From humble beginnings, India Women have grown into one of the strongest cricketing nations in recent times.

Coming back to the scenario of 2025, India is organizing the Women’s World Cup along with Sri Lanka. As the baton passed from first captain Diana Edulji to current skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, success came in a lot of ways, but the highly desired trophy is still a dream. As the lionesses gear up to take the field later this month, all eyes will be on them to chase a 47-year-old dream.