Mumbai: As she gets ready to welcome her second child with husband Ranveer Singh, actor Deepika Padukone hailed the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) newly introduced maternity return guidelines for women cricketers, calling it a “landmark moment”.
Deepika took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share the ICC’s announcement regarding its post-pregnancy return-to-play framework and wrote, “A landmark moment for women in sport (multiple clapping emojis).”
Her reaction comes amid her continued support for working mothers and the need for a better work-life balance.
Last year, after reports claimed that Deepika had exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Spirit’, rumours surfaced that she had asked for eight-hour work shifts and a share in the film’s profits.
Later, when the makers of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ announced that she would not be part of the sequel, reports claimed that she had sought extra pay for work beyond seven hours and separate accommodation for her team.
Earlier this week, the ICC introduced its Return-to-Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines for women cricketers.
The first policy of its kind in world cricket, it is designed to give players, cricket boards, coaches and medical experts a clear framework to help athletes safely return to the game after pregnancy.
Talking about the guidelines, ICC Chairman, Mr Jay Shah, said, “The continued growth of women’s cricket must be built on opportunity, inclusion and care for our players at every stage of their lives and careers. No player should have to choose between motherhood and representing her country at the highest level. The ICC’s Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines are an important step in creating a more supportive and informed environment across the game. By providing Members with practical guidance, we want to ensure that female cricketers are supported through pregnancy and empowered to return to cricket with confidence.”
Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika will be next seen in Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘King’. She is also busy with Atlee’s upcoming film ‘Raaka’ which also stars Allu Arjun.
