Starting in Ahmedabad Thursday, India women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar advised the side to push behind the “hurt” of the T20 World Cup and regroup for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Originally failing to enter the knockouts, New Zealand, who finally raised the ICC trophy, had recently defeated India in their World Cup opener in the UAE. “It would be an understatement to say that the World Cup disappointed us as the players and the team have been underperforming. On the eve of the first one-dayer here, Muzumdar advised the media to gather ourselves and consider the positives we have accomplished during the past ten months together.
Muzumdar encouraged the team to focus on its strengths after remembering its strong run against South Africa lately in Bengaluru, winning the ODI series 3-0.
” Few months back in Bangalore, we had defeated South Africa 3-0. The series (versus NZ) is so much awaited. This is a significant series.
“We want to concentrate on our strengths and work on the areas that require development; we are a strong team. This is definitely going to be a fiercely fought series, he remarked.
Richa Ghosh and Asha Sobhana, two injured spinners seated for their board exams for this series, would be missed by India.
Muzumdar remarked, nonetheless, his squad has sufficient depth.
A few of them had forced alterations. Given this team’s great capability, there won’t be many adjustments (as season unfolds). We now have enough depth. We move ahead believing in their talent and ability.
Great challenge versus India: Devine
Saying her side is all geared to face India in the ODI series—a “massive challenge,” New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine remarked Playing India in their circumstances will always be a great challenge. We therefore find great enthusiasm in that challenge. Clearly, we are leveraging the momentum we have been able to generate from the (T20) World Cup.
Devine also mentioned that the Kiwis want bag points and be qualified for the Women’s ODI World Cup in India next year.
“Our first focus is ensuring qualifying for the World Cup next year since qualification points remain on the table. We are in a quite good position to come here and experience some success. After defeating the Kiwis at the last World Cup, the 35-year-old all-rounder advised the team against treating India lightly.
“I understand they would be let down with the most recent WC, but India at home is strong. Their line-up with both the bat and the ball shows depth all through.
“It will be really vital how Harman guides them. We have to figure out how to refute that and be able to take wickets at consistent intervals,” she said.
India women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar urged the side to push behind the “hurt” of the T20 World Cup and regroup for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning in Ahmedabad Thursday. New Zealand, who eventually lifted the ICC showpiece, had recently beaten India in their World Cup opener in the UAE, as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side failed to enter the knockouts. “It’ll be an understatement to say that we were disappointed from the World Cup, as the team and the players have been hurting. But we need to gather ourselves and look at the positives that we have done in the last 10 months as a group,” Muzumdar told the media on the eve of the first one-dayer here.Muzumdar reminisced about the team’s dominant run over South Africa recently in Bengaluru, winning the ODI series 3-0, and asked the team to concentrate on its strengths.
“We’d won 3-0 against South Africa just a few months back in Bangalore. So, we are looking forward to the series (against NZ). It’s an important series.
“We are a formidable team and we want to focus on our strengths and work on the areas to improve. I’m sure this is going to be a very well-fought series,” he added.
India will miss the services of injured spinners Asha Sobhana and Richa Ghosh, who are sitting for their board examination for this series.
However, Muzumdar said his team has enough depth.
“A couple of them were forced changes. There won’t be many changes (as season goes ahead) because this team is very capable. We have got enough depth. We believe in their talent and ability and move ahead,” he added.
Massive challenge against India: Devine
New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine said her side is all set to face India in the ODI series, which she termed a “massive challenge.” “It’s always going to be a massive challenge playing India in their conditions. So, we’re really excited about that challenge. Obviously, we are building off the momentum that we’ve been able to create from the (T20) World Cup,” she said.
Devine also said the Kiwis are looking to bag points and qualify for the Women’s ODI World Cup in India next year.
“Qualification points are still on the table, so our first priority is securing qualification for next year’s World Cup. I think we’re in a really good position to come in here and have some success.” However, the 35-year-old all-rounder cautioned the Kiwis against taking India lightly after beating them at the recent World Cup.
“I know they’ll be disappointed after the recent WC, but India at home is powerful. They’ve got depth throughout their line-up with both bat and ball.
“The way Harman leads them is going to be crucial. We’ve got to find ways to negate that and to be able to take wickets at regular intervals,” she noted.
