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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Cricket’s Quiet Crusader

Former kca Selection Chief who helped nurture a generation of women cricketers when the sport struggled for recognition Niketha Ramankutty A prominent figure in Indian women’s cricket, Niketha Ramankutty — former Chairperson of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Women’s Selection Committee and Manager of the Kerala State women’s teams — has long championed the game, especially when women’s cricket had little platform in her home state. Her dedication helped nurture girls taking to cricket...

Cricket’s Quiet Crusader

Former kca Selection Chief who helped nurture a generation of women cricketers when the sport struggled for recognition Niketha Ramankutty A prominent figure in Indian women’s cricket, Niketha Ramankutty — former Chairperson of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Women’s Selection Committee and Manager of the Kerala State women’s teams — has long championed the game, especially when women’s cricket had little platform in her home state. Her dedication helped nurture girls taking to cricket in Kerala. During her tenure, which ended recently, five players from the state went on to represent India, while three now feature in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Niketha’s journey began in 1995 on modest grounds and rough pitches in the blazing sun of her native Thrissur. At the time, girls aspiring to play cricket often drew curious stares or disapproving glances. This was despite Kerala producing some of India’s finest female athletes, including P.T. Usha, Shiny Wilson, Anju Bobby George, K.M. Beenamol and Tintu Luka. “Those were the days when women’s cricket did not attract packed stadiums, prime-time television coverage, lucrative contracts or celebrity status. Thankfully, the BCCI has taken progressive steps, including equal pay for the senior women’s team and launching the WPL. These have brought greater visibility, professional avenues and financial security for women cricketers,” Niketha said during a chat with  The Perfect Voice  in Pune. With better infrastructure, stronger domestic competitions and greater junior-level exposure, she believes the future of women’s cricket in India is bright and encourages more girls to pursue the sport seriously. Humble Beginnings Niketha began playing informal matches in neighbourhood kalisthalams (playgrounds) and school competitions before realising cricket was her true calling. Coaches who noticed her composure encouraged her to pursue the game seriously. More than flamboyance, she brought reliability and quiet determination to the turf — qualities every captain values when a match hangs in the balance. These traits helped her rise through the ranks and become a key figure in Kerala’s women’s cricket structure. “She was like a gentle messiah for the players. During demanding moments, they could rely on her – whether to stabilise an innings or lift team spirit,” recalled a former colleague. Guiding Youngsters Her involvement came when women’s cricket in many states struggled even for basic facilities. Matches were rarely covered by the media, and limited travel or training arrangements often tested players’ patience. “As a mother of two daughters—Namradha, 18, and Nivedya, 14—I could understand the emotions of the young girls in the teams. Guiding players through difficult phases and helping them overcome failures gave me the greatest satisfaction,” she said. Niketha — an English Literature graduate with a master’s in Tourism Management — believes success in sport demands not only skill but also sacrifice. Strong parental support and encouragement from her husband, Vinoth Kumar, an engineer, helped her overcome many challenges. Never one to seek the spotlight, she let her performances speak for themselves, earning respect on the national circuit. Quiet Legacy Today, the landscape has changed dramatically. Young girls are more ambitious, parents more supportive, and cricket is seen as a viable career with opportunities in coaching, umpiring, team management, sports analysis and allied fields. Players like Niketha have quietly strengthened the sport. Their journeys show that some victories are not won under stadium floodlights, but by determined women who simply refused to stop playing.

A man with the mission

Updated: Nov 29, 2024

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

Mumbai: Most of the analysts including senior Mahayuti leaders have given credit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the support it lent to the ruling combine ahead of the recently concluded state assembly elections in Maharashtra. Though, collective leadership is the principle that RSS practices in everyday life, if any one person is to be given the credit of the efforts that would indeed be Atul Limaye, the Sah Sarakaryavah of the RSS.


Born in a lawyers’ family in Nashik and an engineer by education, Limaye left his corporate career to become RSS ‘pracharak’ in early ‘90s. After his initial years in Western Maharashtra and Raigad in Konkan region, he became Sah Prant Pracharak of Devgiri Prant (Marathwada and North Maharashtra regions) where he got a chance to closely study the agrarian economy and its socio-political aspects. When the BJP came to power in Maharashtra in 2014 he was in charge of the Western Maharashtra. His role was crucial in appointments of several of the heads of educational institutions and government institutions.


At the same time he also led a large team of highly trained and ideologically robust young men and women to form several study groups, research teams and think tanks to study a wide range of issues right from the demographic aggression of Muslims and Christians to policy making in the present government set up. These groups and institutions proved useful for the state government in handling Maratha agitation that began in 2017 and the Urban Naxal upheaval the next year.


As Sah Sarakaryavah, he was the key person who called shots behind the curtains during the present assembly polls in Maharashtra. He began by conducting a mega congregation of the individuals attached with the publicity arm of the RSS from all the areas of the state. He also ensured that the Shakha level Karyakarta of the RSS too is mobilized to be able to take on, what can be described as the biggest political challenge, that the Hindutva forces faced.

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