RIP the Gentleman’s Game

The road not taken in HR corridors

“Aaj tum achcha khelo ya bura, yeh sattar minute tumhe zindagi bhar yaad rahenge”

- SRK, Chak De India

This rang as true for our women’s cricket team last night, as it did for SRK’s hockey team in the film.

Whether it is hockey, cricket or life; history remembers grit perseverance and passion.

They used to call it the Gentleman’s Game

…till last night

No one knew the name of a single cricketer from the woman’s squad

…till last night

Advertisers would rather put their money behind B-team men than A-team women

…till last night

Last night two teams of determined women descended on the world’s most iconic cricket ground and forced the world to watch. Men, women and children were all glued to the television set as India took on England in the ICC Women’s World Cup. All across India, plans were cancelled, dinner was differed (or eaten in front of TV sets), and mobiles were put on silent as the nail-biting match showed all and sundry that women don’t need to beg for equality anymore.

Mitali Raj.

Padma Shri and Arjuna award winner.

Scored a 100 in her ODI debut.

Captain of the Indian women’s cricket team.

How many men can even call themselves her equal?

Harmanpreet Kaur.

3 centuries and 9 fifties in just 65 ODIs.

The first Indian cricketer to be signed by the Women’s Big Bash League.

Star all-rounder and vice-captain.

Today, countless young boys aspire to match up to her.

Punam Raut.

Journeyed from a chawl to the world stage.

Known as the comeback queen.

Team India opener.

She’s made her father proud and inspired many other fathers to let their daughters pursue cricket.

The India 11 have worked for decades to get this far. Jhulan Goswami has been playing international cricket for 15 years, but has earned the respect she deserves only now. Smriti Mandhana has been struggling to make a name for herself for years, but it is a dream that has only now been realised. Theirs is a story of blood, sweat and tears that has gone into earning a place in the sun.

Sure, we lost last night. To me that shows what I’ve know through all my years of working with spirited women; that our women know how to take a fall. They also know how to dust themselves off and get right back up on their feet. Theirs is a story of determination that very few men can weather. If you’d been representing India in any sport for a decade and yet nobody really knew your name, you’d resign to your fate – wouldn’t you? Well they didn’t. They waited, and persevered with passion till they took on the world.

They spoke little, they played to a plan, they had a strategy, they trusted their leader and they stuck to their commitment. So what if they couldn’t lift the cup, they have lifted the veil off our prejudiced eyes. While we are back to our lives after yesterday’s final, they are back to their. And, their life is the cup; without which they won’t rest. They take pride in the fame, but they don’t need our approval. They were warriors then and they are warriors now. All that’s changed for them are a couple of brand endorsement contracts.

What we experienced last night was the factual version of the film Chak De India. Women are as strong, capable and tenacious as the man next to them. What we can do now is stopping ‘granting’ them equality, stop campaigning for them and stop clapping for them. We need to put our money where our mouth is – business and brands need to give them their due in terms of space, money and accolades. People need to look at them as achievers and celebrities, not ‘women achievers’ and ‘female celebrities.’

They have shown us the way, it’s now our turn to catch up. The gentleman’s game just got gender-neutral.

Chak de India.

@KeepUpWithKaustubh

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Kaustubh Sonalkar is the most unlikely hero you’d expect to find in serious HR corridors. Disruption runs through his veins, and ideas come to him at the speed of light. Keep up with Kaustubh as he shares his thoughts through this un-blog.