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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.

This Diwali is about Defence Funds

The Nifty India Defence Index, which tracks the progress of defence-related companies listed on the stock exchange, has delivered a compounded annual growth rate of 26.8 per cent over the last five years, surpassing the broader Nifty 50 benchmark. However, this index has recently experienced a significant downturn from its 52-week high. The Nifty India Defence Index reached its peak of 8,302 on July 11, following which it saw a steep decline. At present, this index is trading at 6,808, showing a decrease of nearly 27 per cent from its all-time high.


Except for one company, Zen Technologies, all other constituents of the index are down from their all time highs, ranging from 15-50 per cent. We think the recent decline is due to overvaluation. The fundamentals of defence companies remain solid. The drop in stock prices has led to Mutual Funds like the Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence Index Fund being offered at discounted rates. The Mutual Fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV) for the Regular Plan is currently trading at Rs. 7.94.


Defence Mutual Funds are made up of companies primarily involved in research, development, manufacturing, or selling products and services related to defence and military operations. They fall under the category of thematic mutual funds, providing investors with a chance to be part of a sector crucial to national security and benefiting from government defence spending. The defence sector’s financial foundation is stronger than ever, given the continuous rise in India’s defence budget year after year.


The defence sector in India is on the rise, with defence production revenue exceeding Rs. 1 trillion, marking a notable increase from the previous year. The ‘Make in India’ initiative and the push towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing are expected to boost the sector’s growth. Considering the long-term prospects of the defence sector, we see potential in Defence Mutual Funds. Investing through SIPs in defence funds can lead to decent returns over the next 3-5 years. It’s advisable for investors to avoid making large lump sum investments and instead opt for SIPs.

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