The achievements and awards shine bright on the newspaper and news channels but the journey towards it is not an easy job. In a country like India, the situation is not that simple for female athletes. Doing and contributing the same as men, yet getting paid lesser is an added problem. Female sportspersons not only lag behind in less payment but also less support. But they don't sit behind silently. They don't let these things kill their enthusiasm. On this occasion of International Women's Day, let's take a look at the five Indian women who not only changed Indian sports but also opened ways for the young generation to follow their passion.

Mary Kom

Read also: 10 Inspiring Indian Sportswomen: International Women's Day Special

Boxing as a career is still challenging today and the challenges increase when one is a female boxer. Breaking the notion and hurdles for years to reach New heights, Mary Kom became one of the most influential and inspirational sportspersons. The five-time World Amateur Boxing Champion, and the only female boxer to clinch medals in every of the 6 World Championships, Mary Kom paved the way throughout and changed how people perceived Indian sports for females. The Padma Bhushan awardee is also the first Indian female boxer to win a gold medal in the Asian games and she reached the landmark in 2014.

PV Sindhu

Read also: Commonwealth Games 2022: PV Sindhu's record in the Commonwealth games

Do you know who is the only Indian to clinch a silver medal in Olympics in the badminton sport?

At the age of only 2 years, PV Sindhu became the first Indian to win the silver medal in badminton at the Olympics. One of the most successful sportspersons of the country, she scripted records quite a few times in the Olympics. To begin with, she is India's first woman to win two Olympic gold medals and she achieved it in the Tokyo Olympics. In addition, she became the second Indian to achieve so. Furthermore from her teen years, she has been changing the notion and journey of a female sportsperson in India.

Rani Rampal

Representing the country only at the age of 15 is not at all a child's play. Rani Rampal is the youngest player of the Indian hockey team who participated in the 2010 World Cup. The captain of the Indian women's hockey team was honored with the Padma Shri in 2020. She also received the highest sporting honor of India, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2020. The most significant breakthrough moment of her career was the Champions League tournament where she became the 'Top Goal Scorer" and also the "Young Player of the Tournament".

Mithali Raj

Read also: Mithali Raj becomes second Indian to play six ODI world cups

Cricketers come and go but there are very few who established their name to such a great extent that they influence people throughout. One of such personalities is Mithali Raj. The captain of the Indian women's cricket team, Mithali took the team to the brightest heights. Be as a captain or as an individual player, her contribution has always been pivotal for the team. She is not only the highest run-scorer in women's cricket but also the only female cricketer who surpassed the mark of 6000 runs in ODIs. In fact, she is the only Indian captain to take the team to the world cup final twice. Very recently, she also joined Sachin Tendulkar for being one of the only two Indian cricketers to play 6 ODI World Cups.

Karnam Malleshwari

The first Indian woman to win a medal in the Olympics is Karnam Malleswari. The former weightlifter scripted history by winning the bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics in the women's 69 kg weightlifting category. The legendary sportsperson has put feathers in her hat with excellent performances at some of the world's top tournaments. She won the silver medal at the 1994 World Championships and followed it with a gold medal in the 1995 World Weightlifting Championships. Before making her way into the Olympic victory, Malleswari was already a two-time weightlifting world champion with a total of 29 International medals. In fact, 11 of these 29 medals were gold. The former weightlifter has also been awarded the Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, and Padma Shri.

PUMA has roped in the Indian Badminton sensation PV Sindhu as its new brand ambassador, partnering in a multi-year deal. 

The German Sports Apparel brand has chosen India as the first country to expand its orbit in the world of sports, marking its official appearance in Badminton. 

Ahead of the announcement, PUMA has executed a pioneering move, changing its brand signage to 'PVMA'  at several official stores in the country for almost a week.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by PUMA India (@pumaindia)

PV Sindhu becomes the new brand ambassador of PUMA 

PV Sindhu is undoubtedly one of the greatest Indian badminton icons of this generation, surging the excitement of the game into millions of fans in India. The two-time Olympic medalist has achieved numerous accolades throughout her career, popularizing the game among Indian sports fanatics.

Sindhu has not only become the first Indian to conquer five badminton world championship medals, but also she has earned noteworthy honours such as the Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Arjuna Award.

However, Sindhu's unparalleled achievements have injected interest among the youth, and PUMA has adopted the plan to capitalize on the popularity of the 29-year-old. 

According to the Google-Deloitte Think Sports report from 2024, India has a growing fanbase of Badminton, which stands at nearly 57 million. 

PUMA adopted an unprecedented marketing strategy to draw the interest of Indian sports fans, changing their brand name to 'PVMA' in several stores and many billboards across India for almost a week.

This move left the netizens and fans wondering as some speculated the possibility of onboarding PV Sindhu, whereas the partnership has been made official today. 

Many PUMA stores across India have changed their logo and branding to “PVMA”.
This change can be seen in the Indian website as well.

What’s happening? 👀 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ecPbCe2WzW

— sid (@immasiddx) January 11, 2025

However, The partnership between PUMA and Sindhu will debut at the India Open 2025 in New Delhi. This exciting collaboration will bring a high-performance badminton range soon, featuring specialized footwear, apparel, and accessories. 

Sindhu has expressed her elation regarding this move, stating the following.

I’m excited to join the PUMA family, a brand that shares my belief in the power of sport to inspire. This partnership with PUMA India isn’t just about being part of something bigger—it is an opportunity to connect with those who value pushing boundaries and embracing challenges.

“Badminton has always been a platform for growth and self-discovery for me, and through this collaboration, I hope to encourage others, especially women, to take risks, believe in themselves, and strive for more—both on and off the court,

Karthik Balagopalan, Managing Director of PUMA India, said:

PV Sindhu is a legend and a trailblazer, and we are proud & delighted to welcome her into our PUMA family. She is the most followed badminton athlete in the world. Her extraordinary legacy in Indian sports which includes a lot of historic firsts has not only placed India on the badminton map globally but has also inspired millions, pushed the boundaries, and paved the way for future generations of athletes.

“As we make our first-ever step into badminton, this association will further our goal to increase PUMA’s footprint in the rapidly growing sports landscape in the country, inspiring more youngsters to take up the racquet-sport,

India registered a huge victory on Sunday in the first match of the ODI series between India Women vs West Indies Women. They have defeated West Indies by a huge margin of 211 runs in this match.

This margin of victory is India's second-largest ever in terms of runs in Women's ODIs. Only above it is their 249-run demolition of Ireland in a quadrangular series in 2017. It's also West Indies' biggest-ever defeat in the format, beating their 208-run loss to England in 2019.

Also Read: Most WT20I runs in a calendar year

Let's take a look at the biggest wins for India in WODIs.

Biggest wins for India | WODI

1# 249 vs Ireland (2017)

The biggest win for India in Women's ODI was against Ireland in 2017. Chasing a whopping 359-run target in Potchefstroom, Ireland was bundled out for 109 in 40 overs as spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad and pacer Shikha Pandey dismissed four and three batters respectively.

The victory was made possible because of all-rounder Deepti Sharma scoring a career-best 188 (160), the second-highest individual score in the format at the time. Deepti, who has the second-highest average among ODI opening batters (min. 500 runs) to her name, used to open the batting frequently back in the day.

A mammoth 320-run opening stand alongside fellow centurion Punam Raut remains the highest partnership in the format to date. 

2# 211 vs West Indies (2024)

India scored their second-highest innings total at home, i.e., 314/9 in Vadodara today. Coincidently, both their 300+ ODI totals at home have come in 2024. Thanks to Smriti Mandhana's 91 off 102. Having missed out on becoming the fourth batter to register 10 ODI hundreds, Mandhana’s fourth 90s dismissal saw her equaling the record for the most such dismissals in the format.

In the second innings, a run-out handed India a wicket on the first legal delivery. With Renuka Singh picking two wickets in her first three overs and Saima Thakor following it with another one in the sixth over, West Indies just couldn’t recover from 11/4 in 5.2 overs. 

Renuka, who registered a maiden five-wicket haul, was adjudged the Player of the Match as it played a key role in dismissing the visitors on 103 in 26.2 overs.

3# 207 vs Pakistan (2008)

India defeated their arch-rivals Pakistan by 207 runs at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in 2008 for their third-biggest win in Women's ODIs. Captain Mithali Raj’s decision to bat first was followed by Jaya Sharma and Rumeli Dhar joining her in scoring half-centuries to power the team to 283/3 in 50 overs, India’s third-highest ODI innings total at the time.

In the second innings, Neetu David, Snehal Pradhan, and Jhulan Goswami's brilliant bowling bundled out Pakistan for 76 in 33.3 overs in the last league contest.

4# 193 vs Pakistan (2005)

A double-century partnership between Jaya Sharma and Anjum Chopra fashioned India's massive 193-run victory against Pakistan in the Asia Cup women's cricket limited-overs match. Jaya’s career-best performance, 138* (150), was part of the second-highest third-wicket ODI partnership (alongside Anjum Chopra) back then.

A day after India won a match by 10 wickets only for the third time in the format, they thwacked Pakistan by 193 runs after bowling them out for 96 runs in 41.4 overs on the back of David (7.4-5-7-3) and Nooshin Al Khadeer’s (10-7-7-2) magical bowling figures.

5# 186 vs New Zealand (2017) 

Put in to bat first by New Zealand captain Suzie Bates, Mithali Raj herself scored 109 (123) to play a titular role in India putting on board 265/7 in 50 overs. In a bid to complement their skipper, Veda Krishnamurthy and Harmanpreet also chipped in with half-centuries.

In reply, New Zealand bundled out for 79 right after the halfway mark in Derby. Gayakwad’s career-best bowling figures of 7.3-1-15-5 had seen her running through the opposition’s lineup.

On Tuesday, the organizers of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 confirmed that only 10 sports will be played in limited venues to keep the finances in check. 

A previously proposed event, that had a minimum of 20 disciplines was reduced to half, which has sparked disappointments amongst many Indians. The reason is quite simple. The Indian-dominated sports like badminton, hockey, cricket, and weightlifting have been axed. 

Not only that, a sport like squash, which gets major highlights in the CWG due to its absence in the Olympics, has been eliminated.

The IOA (Indian Olympics Association) president, PT Usha, too expressed her despondency towards the decision. But, why? 

The point is, how relevant are "Commonwealth Games," previously known as "British Empire Games," in a decolonized era?

The Idea behind Commonwealth Games

A brainchild of revered Canadian sportswriter and editor Melville Marks Robinson, the Commonwealth Games had its origin in 1930, bearing an essence of still-accepted colonialism. A total of 54 countries, who were once colonies of the British Empire, participated in this event.

The 2022 version, however, saw 72 nations participating.

Inspired by the 1911 Inter Empire Championships, this unique event has been hosted across nine countries. Australia and Canada lead with five editions each. 

Standing in 2024, when the phrase "third-world country" seems nonexistent, who would ever succumb to the pre-established boot-licking attitude toward the English, that too spending some billion dollars for hosting?

Finance definitely raises eyebrows, but the motto it has been carrying for so long should come into question, even in countries like India.

U-turn from Australia to Glasgow

Australia, a country that has hosted the event at least five times, has denied hosting it. Initially, it was Victoria's assignment to conduct the event. However, the arrangement costs skyrocketed from an estimated Aus$2 billion to an alarming Aus$7 billion.

Premier Daniel Andrews, in the press conference in Melbourne, clearly stated that he would never dare to pluck in a huge sum from the funds of hospitals and schools for a sporting event. 

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) scrambled to find a replacement, offering Malaysia £100 million to step in. Even with such a hefty financial contribution, Malaysia turned down the offer, citing insufficient preparation time and the prohibitive costs of hosting the event.

Even Canada's Alberta province last year withdrew its support for a bid for the 2030 Games.

Financial Suffering

The rejections have somehow brought in a raw, uncut picture to the world. The sentiments, accompanied by the suffering, take a long time to recover.

Countries are unwilling to foot the massive bill for an event, even when provided with financial assistance. The event brings in little to no economic return and dwindling global interest.

The Commonwealth Games, which seemed like a prestigious event, has been a burden — a relic of the past whose significance is diminishing in a world with far more pressing priorities.

Glasgow steps in

Following the repeated rejections, there was a point when the Commonwealth Games future looked uncertain for the 2026 version. Countries backing out brought clouds of a postponed tournament before its centenary year in 2030.

At that point, Glasgow stepped in. Glasgow had its experience of hosting a CWG, as it did in 2014. This time, it made the event easy.

Glasgow decided to host a severely pared-down version of the CWG in 2026, with 4 venues in an 8-mile radius. Not only that, the number of participants will also be restricted.

Birmingham's Commonwealth Games: A Legacy of Financial Strain?

Birmingham stepped up to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games when Durban withdrew, promising a grand event to boost the city. However, financial issues soon arose, leading to political tension and public concern.

Max Caller, former adviser to Birmingham City Council, called the decision to host the Games "a mistake" amidst longstanding financial problems. Hosting the event diverted attention from the council’s critical issues, including a £760 million bill for equal pay claims and a botched IT system that may cost £100 million to fix.

While the Games were an "amazing event," their financial aftermath sparked debates, with citizens worried about budget cuts affecting essential services. Community centres, libraries, and even the famed German Christmas Market could face closures as the council struggles with bankruptcy.

But is finance the real concern?

India had hosted the 2010 CWG, followed by financial turmoil in the country. It took years for the country to overcome. India has now successfully bid for the Olympics 2036. 

Hosting the Olympics has also led to never-ending financial scars for many countries. Athens is a prominent name in that. 

But yet, countries hardly step back to host it. Is it really the finances or the pride that pushes them to bid for the Olympics?

Will India suffer from the reduction?

In the idealistic world of sport, India shouldn't. In such a situation, the question comes: how relevant is CWG to the sporting world? 

With the rising popularity of the Asian Games that have dominated countries like China and the Olympics, which is the oldest and largest form of multidisciplinary sports event, CWG falls short in both glamour and relevance.

The limited exposure giving year-old consolation to the country with an "international medal" has been falling short repeatedly in the Olympics. The count of CWG medalist athletes who have earned a medal in the Olympics is relatively low. A Mirabai Chanu, a PV Sindhu, or a Neeraj Chopra is countable. 

When at one corner, it is justified to be upset knowing that Indian dominance has been restricted, then at the other corner, another question gets tossed—why does India need going-to-be-abolished events to prove its excellence? 

India, which takes pride in being a sporting excellence and a country that tried to push cricket hard in the Olympics, should think if it's really dominant or not.

Does Commonwealth participation assure greatness?

Usain Bolt, at his peak point in his career, decided to participate only in the 4x100m relay in Glasgow (2014). Not only that, he was nowhere in New Delhi (2010) too, despite India's desperate request to have him.

Sir Chris Hoy, too, stayed away from the Delhi games because a win wouldn't have added any decorated feather to his already stellar career.

In the harshest reality, a hundred medals won't assure at least 50 medals in the Asian Games itself. Olympics are out of reach!

Medal tally for India in CWG, in its popular sport

On Wednesday, Neetu David was enlisted into the ICC Hall of Fame, becoming the second Indian woman, after Diana Edulji, to receive this prestigious honor. 

Neetu David, who has dedicated her life to the sport, both as a player and as an administrator, rightly deserves this moment. However, it's not just recognizing the number enscripted in the record books, but many unsaid contributions, her craft of spin bowling, and her presence on the off-field encouraging women's cricket for a better future.

The Record-Setting Spinner

Neetu David’s career speaks volumes in numbers—141 wickets in 97 ODIs, 41 wickets in 10 Tests. Moreover, she proudly carries her tag as the first Indian woman to cross the 100-wicket milestone in ODIs.

It was in a 1995 Test match against England that Neetu David etched her name in history. Her spell of 8/53 remains the best-ever bowling figure in a women’s Test innings to this day. Even though India faced a heartbreaking two-run loss, Neetu’s had set the gold standard for slow bowling. To be honest, scalping eight wickets is fiery enough in those days. But when it comes with grace and consistency, it is something that needs to be worshipped. 

Her meticulous ability to vary her pace, loop the ball just right, and outsmart batters is what made Neetu David a nightmare for batters across the world. It would be absolutely wrong to say that she was a bowler. She literally planned and crafted her dismissals, giving treats to the eyes.

A Journey Across Three World Cups

David has played in three World Cups and has experienced both glory and heartbreak. A semi-final finish in 1997 on home soil and an early exit in 2000—she went through all but stayed tall with the ball in hand.

However, she was in her peak form in the 2005 Women’s World Cup in South Africa. Neetu concluded as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, bagging 20 wickets, guiding India towards their maiden final. Well, again, Australia being the major hurdle for India shattering the dream. 

The 2005 final was bittersweet for Neetu. She had done everything within her power, but her fate didn't support it. Nonetheless, her place among the tournament's best was unquestionable, and her leadership on the field earned her the admiration of peers and rivals alike.

The Transition from Player to Selector

David retired from international cricket in 2006 but did not leave the field. She had her brief outing in 2008 but soon realized her greater calling lay off the field. She played her last domestic match in 2013 for the Railways, aiding them to win the Senior Women's T20 League title.

In 2020, David was appointed as the Chair of the Women’s Selection Committee for India, on the eve of the new era in India’s women’s cricket. During her tenure, the team made rapid transitions, including the retirements of legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. 

Moreover, David played a crucial role in nurturing young talents like Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh.

Beyond the Numbers: Neetu’s Everlasting Influence

David’s induction into the ICC Hall of Fame is more than just a recognition of her numbers. It is about honoring a cricketer who helped pave the way for future generations. Women’s cricket in India today stands on the shoulders of pioneers like Neetu, who fought against the odds, often without the resources or recognition their male counterparts enjoyed.

Her journey from a 17-year-old debutant to a Hall of Famer is one filled with grit, determination, and a love for the sport that transcends records. Neetu David may have left the playing field, but her legacy continues to spin its way into the future of Indian cricket.

Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom expressed disappointment over the poor performance of Indian boxers in the Paris Olympics 2024. She said that being a medal winner, it is natural that she feels bad.

Also Read: Cricket versus "Sports": A friend or a foe?

India had sent a team of six boxers to the Paris 2024, which included two men and four women. It also included Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain and world champion Nikhat Zareen.

Mary Kom expressed her desire to re-enter professional boxing

Mary Kom expressed her desire to re-enter professional boxing, stating, "I am planning to make a comeback.I will try to make a comeback in pro-boxing." In the same event, she shared her happiness in participating in sports-promoting events but remained concerned about India's performance at the Olympics. 

'We will assess what needs to be done'

Mary Kom told IANS during the Army Sports Conclave, "Looking at the Olympics performance, its unfortunate that we didn’t win a medal in the 2024 Olympics. We will assess what needs to be done moving forward and what shouldn’t be done,"

India's boxing campaign was disappointing 

Lovlina (women's 75kg) missed out on a historic second medal at the Paris Olympics and lost to China's Li Qian in the quarterfinals. At the same time, in the men's 71 kg category, Nishant Dev had reached the quarter-finals, but he had to face defeat from Marco Verde of Mexico.

Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (women's 50kg), Commonwealth Games champion Amit Panghal (men's 51kg) and Preeti Pawar (women's 54kg) lost in the round of 16 in their respective categories. Jasmine Lamboria (women's 57 kg) was eliminated in the round of 32. Overall, India's Paris Olympics boxing campaign was disappointing.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra’s best throws: Here are all the top throws by javelin ace Neeraj Chopra

"As a world champion and medallist myself, its natural to feel disappointed. We'll focus on more practice and hard work for the upcoming tournaments," Mary Kom added.

Only three boxers achieved olympic medal

Notably, so far only three Indian boxers have won medals in the Olympics – Vijender Singh (bronze in Beijing 2008), Mary Kom (bronze in London 2012) and Lovlina Borgohain (bronze in Tokyo 2020).