Flashback time. The first job as a sports journalist. Naturally, each day felt like walking into the bullring. “Head to the BHA Mahindra hockey stadium to cover an inter-bank tourney,” thundered my sports editor, in his gentle-giantesque tone. “You’ll be fine; ask around and it’ll be a breeze,” his words calmed the nerves. As I entered the venue, an attendant approached me, “There’s a better view from the far end of the stands to cheer your team.” My jaw dropped. “Err…I am reporter; where is the press box?” I asked. Now, it was the turn of the podgy gentleman’s jaw to drop. “Oh. You’re a girl; you don’t look like a sports reporter,” he uttered.

It was one incident. But it was to be a precursor of things as one negotiated the bumpy ride as a woman sports journalist for the next few years. From swimming to athletics, billiards to tennis, the mindset of sportsmen towards women reporters wasn’t convincing. Is it possible for a woman to follow sport, let alone cover it in depth, and across disciplines? So, when Chris Gayle’s episode surfaced, it was no surprise. Agreed, the West Indian cricketer’s behavior with the woman media person was a far cry from what I had experienced, but we hit rewind mode to the early 2000s.