Women's ODI Team of the Year: Smriti and Deepti picked, yet snubbed on social media

Although 2024 has been a very rough year for Indian women's cricket, few players have stood out and made a mark in the international arena, none more so than Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma.

The two had an excellent 2024 from an individual standpoint, with the southpaw at her fluent best with the bat.

Deepti Sharma, meanwhile, established herself as perhaps the most important cog of the Indian team with her all-round abilities, especially with the ball in hand.

And rightly so, they have been rewarded for their consistency with a place in the ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year 2024, the only Indians to feature on the coveted list.

Men's snub hogs limelight

But the buzz on social media, had little to do with the two women being recognised.

Instead, the non-selection of the Indian men on the list was all the news.

In stark contrast to the Indian women, no Indian featured on the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year (TOTY), with India having played just three ODIs across the calendar year.

Naturally, this created a buzz around social media, with fans discussing in earnest about the Men's ODI TOTY. That said, the inclusion of Smriti and Deepti wasn't a talking point at all.

The question that should be asked is this - why does the inclusion of women in a prestigious list goes unnoticed while the non-selection of their counterparts hogs the headlines.

Smriti and Deepti's achievement noteworthy

In their own right, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma have excellent numbers that deserve way more appreciation than what they have gotten.

Mandhana has amassed 747 runs in 13 WODIs, with three 50s and four centuries, most by an Indian women batter in WODIs.

Also, this is the fourth time that she has been included in the WODI Team of the Year, a feat no other Indian has achieved.

But one scroll through social media, it becomes evident that this stellar fact barely receives a mention. This clearly, doesn't augur well for women's cricket in the country.

Barring an odd mention, not very many appear to have taken notice of Smriti's noteworthy achievement.

Does this mean that women's cricket is yet to make inroads into the conscience of the sport's fanbase in the country which seemingly cheers just for the men in blue?

Deepti Sharma, similarly, was a force to reckon with in WODIs, picking 24 wickets, the most by a women cricketer in 2024.

Additionally, she also made 186 runs with the bat, firmly establishing herself as one of the best all-rounders in women's cricket.

A call for balance

Women’s sports, especially cricket, have long been overshadowed by their male counterparts, even when records are being broken or when major achievements are made.

While it’s essential to discuss the men’s team and their shortcomings, it’s equally important to recognize the achievements of the women’s team.

The discussions, facts, and statistics being pushed around for men's cricket, while warranted, have unfortunately shifted the attention away from what the two Indian women have achieved.

Mandhana and Sharma have earned their place in the ICC Women’s ODI TOTY, and their inclusion should be met with pride and excitement.