Mom-to-be Deepika Padukone lauds ICC's new maternity return guidelines, calls it a 'Landmark Moment'
Mumbai, June 23
Actress Deepika Padukone, who will soon be welcoming her second child with husband Ranveer Singh, has lauded the International Cricket Council's newly announced maternity return guidelines for women cricketers.
Calling it a "landmark moment for women in sport", Deepika posted a report about the initiative on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday.
In its latest policy, ICC has introduced a well-structured post-pregnancy return-to-play framework for female players.
As per the structure, after having a baby, the female players will be provided with medical and psychological support, along with dedicated recovery plans, flexible training schedules, childcare support, and other facilities for the new mothers and their babies. This latest initiative by ICC will make sure that no player is forced to pick between motherhood and their career in sports.
This is not the first time that Deepika has raised her voice for a meaningful change. From mental health awareness, to an 8-hour work shift for a healthy work-life balance, the 'Piku' actress has always spoken about what she believes in.
In April this year, Deepika and Ranveer announced that they are expecting their second child together.
The couple made the happy announcement by sharing an adorable picture of their daughter Dua holding a pregnancy test kit showing a positive result.
For those who do not know, Deepika and Ranveer got married in an intimate yet lavish ceremony at Lake Como, Italy in November 2018, after being in a relationship for several years.
On the work front, Deepika will be seen starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan yet again in Siddharth Anand's 'King'.
Recently, a leaked behind-the-scenes video from the sets of 'King' went viral on social media. The clip featured a pregnant Deepika filming what seemed to be a romantic song sequence with SRK in Cape Town.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, this is long overdue. For years, women athletes have had to choose between family and career. ICC's framework with medical support and childcare is a game-changer. Deepika's support adds the star power this cause needs. Hope BCCI follows suit soon!
Good initiative but let's see if it's implemented properly on the ground. In India, our domestic women's cricket still lacks basic facilities. This framework is great for international stars, but what about our Ranji-level players? Need grassroots change too.
Deepika is right—this is a landmark moment. As a country that worships cricket, we need to support our women players. Motherhood shouldn't mean the end of a sporting career. Hope this inspires more women to take up sports without fear. 🤞
Deepika has always been vocal about important issues—mental health, work-life balance, and now maternity rights. She's not just a Bollywood star but a true advocate. ICC's move is progressive, and her endorsement makes it reach a wider audience. Well done! 🌟
While I appreciate the intent, I wish the focus was more on equal pay and sponsorship opportunities for women cricketers. Maternity support is crucial, but let's not ignore the systemic issues. Still, a step in the right direction. Baby steps, as they say. 😊
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.