Indian women’s team head coach Amol Muzumdar wants his team to play a fearless brand of cricket. India is all set to play a three-match T20I series against England starting December 6 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The hosts will also play a Test match against the English team.
Muzumdar, a domestic giant of the game, said Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues will be the vital cog in India’s wheel as both of these batters will hold the key for the team. Verma is known to take the bull by its horns whereas Rodrigues will also aim to deliver in the middle order.
“We need to play a certain brand of cricket, which we have been known for so far. Fearless cricket is something which I have always advocated. We would be playing that brand of cricket,” Muzumdar told reporters on Tuesday ahead of the team’s training session at the Wankhede Stadium.
“Shafali (Verma) and Jemimah (Rodrigues) are both very important cog in the wheel. I would like them to continue what they have been doing.”
With the T20 World Cup set to be played September-October 2024 in Bangladesh, the former Mumbai batter added every match is going to hold the key for them.
“We are moving towards the World Cup. Every series and match will have its own importance. The series against England and Australia will count a lot,” said Muzumdar who is starting his coaching stint with the women’s national team during the three-match T20I series against England.
“We had a chat about it with the team and they (players) are all raring to go. Every step that we take (hereon) is (about) moving towards the World Cup.
“England and Australia will be a superb series to start the preparations (for the World Cup). (Both) will be tough series (and) will give us an indication of where we are. Going forward, the tougher the opposition, the better it is,” he said.
Muzumdar added that the focus will be on fitness and fielding.
“Fielding and fitness are of highest priority. There is no compromise on fielding or fitness. There will be a lot of camps post this series a lot of cricket will be played at NCA or some other place,” he said.
“That means more exposure. All the fringe and new players will also get an opportunity.”
India has won only seven matches in 27 games against England in T20Is and they will be looking to turn the tables.
