Cricket

India Enhances Fielding and Fitness for T20 World Cup

As Team India prepares for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and coach Amol Muzumdar revealed during a pre-departure press conference that the squad strongly emphasizes improving fielding and fitness. These areas were identified as critical issues following India’s loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final, a defeat Kaur said she “won’t forget” and attributed mainly to “numerous fumbles” on the field, including missed catches and poor ground fielding.

To rectify these shortcomings, the Indian team gathered for intensive training camps at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. These camps were designed to fine-tune their fielding and fitness skills before the global tournament.

“We dedicated the entire first 15 days of camp solely to fitness and fielding,” coach Amol Muzumdar explained. “These were two crucial areas that needed immediate attention.”

The second phase of the camp focused heavily on game skills, with the team engaging in nearly five matches over ten days. “We didn’t just focus on net practice but also ensured our players had sufficient game time,” Muzumdar continued. “We played highly competitive matches against diverse opposition, sharpening specific skill sets.”

Along with the focus on athletic improvement, the training sessions included yoga and psychological coaching to enhance physical and mental resilience. “The camp was meticulously designed to elevate overall fielding performance and athletic ability,” Muzumdar added. “It was a holistic preparation process, and we feel well-prepared for the challenges ahead.”

By addressing these critical areas, India hopes to enter the World Cup with a more robust and competitive edge, particularly in fielding—an aspect that has previously let them down on the global stage.

Siddharth Dahiya