Naba Bhattacharjee, cricket administrator and President of the Meghalaya Cricket Association, has expressed strong confidence in the future of women’s cricket in the state. With several ambitious projects initiated by the BCCI aimed at enhancing cricket infrastructure in Meghalaya, Bhattacharjee believes that the sport will see significant growth in the next 10 years.
In an interview with Meghalaya News 24 in Shillong, following his appointment as Manager of the Indian Senior Women’s Cricket Team for their upcoming ODI series against Australia, Bhattacharjee highlighted that Meghalaya is on the brink of a cricketing revolution, especially for women’s cricket.
“We will achieve in 10 years what others have taken 40-50 years because we have the talent,” he affirmed.
Bhattacharjee highlighted plans for a state-of-the-art indoor training facility in Ri Bhoi, emphasizing a holistic approach to fostering talent. “There is no single factor for improvement; all aspects must converge. The BCCI, particularly Secretary Jay Shah and the Apex Council, have taken significant steps, such as bringing women’s fees on par with men’s and introducing the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which has been a game-changer,” he said. Bhattacharjee also noted the rising sense of equality and motivation among women cricketers, adding, “We are already among the top three teams in the world, and within three years, we aim to be at the top.”
Acknowledging the challenges faced by women’s cricket in Meghalaya, he attributed the disparity to the state’s relatively short history in the sport compared to mainland states. “We’ve been playing at this level for only six years, whereas states like Assam and Tripura have over 60 years of experience. However, our women cricketers are equally, if not more, talented than their male counterparts,” he said. Efforts are underway to expand the talent pool by scouting players from districts beyond Shillong and Tura, supported by improved infrastructure, more coaches, and new facilities like indoor training centers. “With the weather here, indoor facilities are crucial, and the BCCI’s upcoming indoor training center will be ready in six months,” he added.
Bhattacharjee also pointed to cultural and logistical challenges, such as football’s dominance in the Northeast and cricket’s infrastructure demands, but maintained an optimistic outlook. “We started women’s cricket in 2011 in a small way, and while progress takes time, we are on the right path. Things are moving, and I believe we will achieve in 10 years what others took decades to accomplish,” he said.
His recent appointment as Manager of the Indian Senior Women’s Team for the ICC Women’s Championship series against Australia underscores his extensive experience and dedication. The series will be held in Brisbane on December 4 and 7, and in Perth on December 10, with the Indian team departing for Brisbane on November 30.
Bhattacharjee’s contributions to cricket in Meghalaya include securing BCCI permanent membership for the state in 2018 and serving on key BCCI committees. He was part of a seven-member panel in 2017 with Jay Shah, Rajeev Shukla, and Sourav Ganguly to review Justice R.M. Lodha Committee reforms and participated in promoting global cricket through matches in Florida in 2016.
As he takes on this national role, Bhattacharjee remains committed to nurturing grassroots cricket in Meghalaya, with a focus on positioning the state as a significant force in Indian women’s cricket. “In the next 10 years, we expect women’s cricket in Meghalaya to grow exponentially, reflecting the enthusiasm and talent we see today,” he concluded.