Mumbai: As anticipation builds for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has urged fans to extend the same passion and energy for women’s cricket as they do for the men’s game.
Akshay Recalls 2017 World Cup Final
In a video released by JioStar, the official broadcaster of the tournament, Akshay recalled his experience of watching the 2017 Women’s World Cup final in England.
“I still remember the 2017 World Cup final. I took a train from Scotland and went to the stadium to watch the match. That’s when I saw the passion of our women’s cricket team. Why did I go? Because that’s when I understood that there’s no gender in cricket. There’s only one jersey, one passion, and one team—Team India,” he said.
‘Jersey Wahi, Jazba Wahi’
Akshay emphasised that a true fan is one who supports every player, regardless of gender.
“We usually cheer for the men’s team. But the real support will come when we cheer for our women’s team as much as we cheer for the men’s team. The real fan is the one who stands with every player, whether it’s a man or a woman. This is the sign of the real blue. ‘Jersey wahi, jazba wahi!’” he added.
In the video, Akshay is seen holding Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana’s No. 18 jersey, symbolising that whether it’s Virat Kohli or Smriti Mandhana, the jersey remains the same.
India Gears Up for World Cup
India, along with Sri Lanka, will host the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup beginning September 30, with the opening match scheduled in Guwahati.
Currently, the Indian women’s team is engaged in a three-match ODI series against World Champions Australia at home.
India are eyeing their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title. After falling short in the final of the last edition, fans are hopeful the team will go the distance this time on home soil.