Former India captain Diana Edulji thinks the Indian women’s team should learn from their repeated mistakes before going to the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament will be played in Australia from 21 February. While chasing 155 against Australia in the tri-series final in Melbourne on Wednesday, India bundled out within 144 from the winning position.
“They have all the facilities at their disposal now, at par with men, and yet they have not been able to play consistent cricket and win ICC trophies. If they play like the way they are playing, they will make the semifinals again (at T20 World Cup) but I don’t see them winning the trophy,” Diana Edulji said to PTI shortly after India’s defeat at the Junction Oval.
In the recently-concluded tri-series, India won and lost a game each against Australia and England in the league stage before facing a humiliating defeat against the hosts in the final. The team always crumbles under pressure in big games, as well as their middle-order fails to contribute. However, Diana Edulji also said that the running between the wickets and shot selection can be a lot better as well.
“They are so lazy that they never try for a second. These are the things that make all the difference. It is a single or a boundary, there is nothing in between,” said the former player who played 20 Tests and 36 ODIs.
While the opener Smriti Mandhana has been consistent at the top, the youngster Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur have not been as consistent as they should be along with their middle-order. In the bowling department, the team banks on spinners for long as there are hardly any pace bowlers available in the team. However, India will begin the campaign against the hosts and the defending champion Australia on February 21.
“We are not concentrating on junior cricket enough. How come Australia have pacers who can bowl at 120 kmph and we don’t?” asked Edulji.
“Going forward, they need to undergo mental strengthening courses. At the moment, you will see them making the semis and finals but an added push is required if they are to hold the trophy,” Diana Edulji concluded.
