By Trisha Ghosal in Mumbai
India’s campaign at the Women’s World Cup stands at a crossroads. Three straight losses have turned tomorrow’s (October 23) clash against New Zealand at DY Patil Stadium into a virtual quarterfinal. Under growing scrutiny, head coach Amol Muzumdar faced the media, fielding tough questions about selection, strike rates, the captain’s form and answering with calm precision.
On Dropping Jemimah Rodrigues
Muzumdar defended the decision to drop Jemimah Rodrigues against England, calling it “one of the toughest calls” of the tournament. “Jemi is an integral part of this team. But sometimes you have to take tough calls. Given the conditions in Indore, we needed a sixth bowling option. It was purely a tactical move,” he explained. Muzumdar, however, hinted that the combination might change in Navi Mumbai depending on the conditions.
On India’s Finishing Woes
India’s inability to close out matches has been a recurring issue. Muzumdar admitted. “To be very honest, we were not able to finish things off. We’ve had a very nice discussion about it. We always reiterate that starting well is important, but finishing better is what wins games.” The coach remained optimistic that lessons learned would translate into results against New Zealand.
On Harmanpreet’s Captaincy and Pressure
Asked whether Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy burden was affecting her form, Muzumdar dismissed the idea. “I don’t think it’s about pressure. She’s been leading fantastically. Her record in the last two years has been excellent. She’s putting in the hard yards and I’m confident it will all click soon.”
On Deepti Sharma’s Consistency
Muzumdar was effusive in praise of his most reliable all-rounder. “Deepti Sharma is one of the pillars of this team, one of the best in the world. Her work ethic is second to none. Whether it’s batting, bowling, or fielding, she’s a thorough professional,” he said.
On Strike Rates and the Middle-Order Debate
The coach brushed aside criticism over Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal’s scoring rate. “Pratika averages around 50 with a strike rate of about 82-83, that’s fantastic. We back her and Harleen completely,” he said, stressing that the group had “honest discussions” about converting 50s into hundreds, not strike rates.
On Handling Pressure at Home
With India playing a home World Cup, Muzumdar admitted there was pressure but insisted the team was ready. “This side is well equipped to handle it. We’ve got the right mix of experience and youth. The last three games haven’t gone our way, but hopefully the next few will.”
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