Former Indian opener W.V Raman and current head coach of the Indian team says that the girls are gaining momentum.
He was appointed as head coach after Ramesh Powar, entering this new phase with a lot of confidence which will help the team to grow . Raman is the most experienced and in a way the most high-profile men’s international cricketer to coach Indian women’s national team yet.
His term assumed from India’s tour of New Zealand, He says,
“I saw the potential in the women’s team to climb up the rankings- they are No. 3 in women’s ODI rankings- and get better with results”. On why came forward with this proposal of being in command , Raman further said: “Having watched them play, having seen them on the field and the talent they exhibited, and given all that transpired over the last 18 months, this is a very crucial stage, a stage where they can easily skyrocket or if things don’t go well, things can really go down south”.
With the on-board Windies tour, he says to Sportstar,
“There are quite a few areas to be worked upon, primarily fitness. Progress was seen in the recent series (against South Africa) where the girls could cope with the humid conditions. But I have said repeatedly don’t draw comparisons with men’s cricket. It’s not fair. Women’s cricket is gaining momentum in India”
Raman also pointed out, “Indians should not be compared with women cricketers from England, Australia or New Zealand because they have the advantage of playing four to five [different] sports. Our girls don’t have similar facilities. Our girls are not as strong. But things are changing. Our girls know they have better flexibility and hence have to rely on good technique. It is not necessary to play big shots.” he said.
The coach seems to be happy and satisfied with batting and bowling efforts by the girls and their performance speaks for itself. On the opposition, Raman noted,
“They play the Caribbean style of cricket and we have respect for the West Indies team. The ODI series is part of the ICC Women’s Championship. We have to be at our best and have to win the series.”
Sources: DNA, SPORTSTAR.
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