Cricket in Kashmir remained a game only for men for a very long time. Nowadays, however, women in India have shaken this thinking with their performance and achievements. Their achievements have touched millions of girls, and this good impact is now evident in Kashmir, where more and more girls are playing cricket.
For the first time in many regions in the Valley, organized women’s cricket matches are being conducted at the grassroots level. Such organised matches are bringing opportunities for girls in villages and smaller towns to showcase their talent. Those grounds where only men’s matches used to take place are now resounding with the sound of girls playing with pads and helmets, symbolizing a vast change in mindset.
One step in this way was when a women’s cricket league was organized from October 29 to November 7, in a way that it was in memory of India’s first-ever Chief of Defence Staff, Late General Bipin Rawat. The event saw a total of 16 teams participate in it, with these including a total of eight professional and eight learner teams. The event was sponsored by both the Indian Army and the Baramulla Cricket Forum.
The Indian Army launched Kashmir Women's Cricket League in 2023 and carried forward with a second season in August 2025. Such events, which sometimes take place in the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar, have witnessed participation from approximately 12 teams with an objective to empower females and encourage girls to take up this sport.
The Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association has remained actively engaged in providing an platform for girls-only matches, selection camps, and talent hunts, such as a talent search in 2024 to shortlist players for various age-group sides (U-15, U-19, U-23). Innovative events such as the snow cricket match for women, organized in the remote village of Panzgam in Kupwara district, have also been conducted in order to promote participation in far-flung regions. Such tournaments work towards overcoming financial and social barriers by providing cheap or completely free training opportunities and exposing female players.
One of the most successful Kashmiri players is Jasia Akhter, a woman cricketer who marked a milestone by becoming the first Kashmiri woman to be part of the Women’s Premier League. Jasia hails from a distant village named Brari Pora in Shopian, and her story has faced immense challenges, such as lack of infrastructure and safety issues with her conservative social environment. Her father, a farmer, has made sacrifices for her passion.
Jasia had initially played cricket matches with local children in her area, but later she participated in school-level matches. As there were no facilities for her in Kashmir, she shifted to Punjab and performed at a national level in her state championships. Her achievements have inspired countless young girls in the valley, showing them that with hard work and a good support network, achieving success internationally is not just a possibility but a reality, and playing her part in transforming the image of women in sports in their community.
Professional Category, the winners in this category in a very competitive final were Anantnag Rebels, defeating Game Swingers Baramulla. Rubiya of Anantnag Rebels won Player of the Tournament for her all-round performance.
Amateur Category, the winners in this category were Army Goodwill School Uri, defeating Government Girls Higher Secondary School in a very competitive game, with Sania Rashid being awarded Player of the Tournament.
Such tournaments have proved to be an opener in bringing such talented girls from villages to the mainstream. Rubiya from Anantnag is one such example. She hails from a middle-class family, but she used such opportunities to showcase her talent and proved that if given a proper platform, talent will shine. She is an inspiration for many girls in villages to focus on cricket.
The next encouraging piece of news is from Bandipora. Two sisters in the district were in news on December 10, 2025, for their outstanding performances in women’s cricket. They have been performing very well in local and regional championships. Their performance in batting, bowling, and fielding is commendable. They are currently taking coaching sessions seriously despite their busy schedule of studies and taking care of their families. Their hard work is a symbol of hope for all girls in the region.
The increasing popularity of women’s cricket in Kashmir signals a sea change in society. With competition opportunities, support from institutions, and a new crop of role models on the horizon, girls are confidently taking to the pitch. A new dawn in women’s cricket in Kashmir signals an end to traditional thinking in this sport and a bright future with equality in sport in the Valley. Cricket has had a strong and positive impact on girls in Kashmir. It is important that girls are provided with more enhamced platforms and equal opportunities so they can grow, perform, and achieve their dreams.

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