As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the Indian women’s cricket team is under the spotlight, with fans and experts eagerly anticipating their performance. Amidst the preparations, former Indian captain Diana Edulji has offered crucial advice to current skipper Harmanpreet Kaur: control your emotions. This guidance comes at a pivotal time, as the team aims to end its long-standing ICC trophy drought.
SOURCE : ZEE
The Importance of Composure
Diana Edulji, a legend in Indian women’s cricket, emphasized the need for maintaining composure under high-pressure situations. “The Indian women’s team, including skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, needs to maintain composure under high-pressure situations to end its long-standing ICC trophy drought at the next month’s T20 World Cup,” Edulji stated. Her advice is rooted in the belief that emotional control is key to making strategic decisions on the field, especially during crunch moments.
Source:- bbc news
Past Challenges and Lessons
India’s journey in international cricket has seen its share of highs and lows. The team came close to winning the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020 but fell short against six-time champions Australia in the final. Alyssa Healy’s explosive innings of 75 off 39 balls played a pivotal role in Australia’s 85-run victory at Melbourne. Reflecting on such experiences, Edulji highlighted the importance of mental strength and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Role
Harmanpreet Kaur, known for her aggressive batting and leadership skills, has been a cornerstone of the Indian team. However, her fiery temperament has sometimes led to on-field outbursts. In a notable incident, she was handed a two-month ban by the ICC following her outburst during the final ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka last year. Edulji’s advice to Harmanpreet is to channel her passion into positive energy and lead with a calm demeanor.
“Harmanpreet needs to control her emotions,” Edulji said. “She is a very good player who can win the game on her own. She has proved it time and again. But she will have to lead with a strong hand and control her emotions a little bit on the field. She is capable of making the right changes – right bowling changes, right field placements. Batting, of course, is not in her hands,” Edulji added.
The Road to the World Cup
The Indian women’s team has been preparing rigorously for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The recent loss in the Women’s Asia Cup final to Sri Lanka by eight wickets served as a wake-up call. Left-handers Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama scored fifties, showcasing the unpredictability of T20 cricket. Edulji stressed the importance of not panicking and keeping cool during such unexpected turns in the game.
“The team is good. It’s just that I think they are not able to focus on how to finish the game. Close the doors, don’t leave any chance for anybody to come and try to take the game away from us,” Edulji advised.
Edulji’s advice extends beyond individual performance to the overall team mindset. She believes that the Indian team needs to adopt a winning mentality similar to that of Australia. “Australia is a very professional side. They have the spirit to play hard. We as a team need to get it into our mind that we have to play to win and they have to play out of their skins,” she said.
As the Indian women’s cricket team gears up for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, the advice from legends like Diana Edulji could prove invaluable. Harmanpreet Kaur’s ability to control her emotions and lead with composure will be crucial in navigating the high-pressure matches ahead. With the right mindset and strategic approach, the team has the potential to achieve their long-awaited ICC trophy.
Share your views in the comments
