Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai
Death Overs Remain India’s Grey Zone
India may have sealed their semi-final berth with a match to spare, but bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi knows the spotlight is still very much on his attack, particularly at the death. India failed to defend 251 and 330 in consecutive outings, raising familiar concerns.
“We identify grey areas like slog overs and specifically work on them, grips, angles, execution spots,” Salvi said. “Pressure overs are part of the game. It’s a process: practise in nets, then execute in matches.”
Dew has been a factor across venues, but Salvi refused to lean on it as a crutch: “The ball gets wet but no excuses. The girls are working to improve.”
“Renuka Is a Strike Bowler”
Renuka Singh looked her sharpest in the last outing, and Salvi reaffirmed her role as India’s new-ball enforcer.
“She’s always delivered with the new ball, her economy and strike-rate speak for themselves,” he said. “We prepare for dew in every practice session, using wet balls. Now it’s about execution.”
Spinners Must Deliver, Whatever the Pitch
India’s traditional strength has always been their spin unit. And even on tracks offering minimal grip, Salvi backs them to stand up.
“Quality speaks for itself, irrespective of the wicket,” he said. “Shree Charani, Deepti [Sharma], Sneh [Rana], they’ve all performed on surfaces with little help. It’s about mindset and contributing in any conditions.”
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Richa Watch Continues; Deepti Evolving
On Richa Ghosh’s fitness, Salvi said clearance was still awaited: “She looks fine but the S&C and medical team are monitoring her.”
He also praised Deepti’s all-round evolution: “She’s worked on the stop ball, zip, variations and accuracy,” he said. “She always raises her hand for India.”
Selection Clarity, Not Confusion
India have shuffled combinations throughout the group stage, but Salvi insisted the decisions are strategic, not panic-driven.
“All 15 are match-winners,” he asserted. “We select based on pitch and opposition. There’s no inconsistency, just playing the best XI for that game.”
Keeping Motivation High in a Marathon Campaign
Salvi believes the squad’s long-term cohesion is paying off.
“It’s not an overnight process,” he said. “Sometimes we step in, sometimes we let them be. We keep them in a good space and focused on their A-game.”
Workload Managed, Momentum Still Key
“We knew it was a long tournament and workloads were planned months in advance,” he said. “We’ll assess conditions and pick the right combination.”
With a semi-final ahead, India’s bowlers know the next execution error might be one too many.
Also Read: India Must Keep Adapting: Playing Safe Is No Longer an Option