Following the recent triumph of Rohit Sharma’s Indian team in the T20 World Cup, spin-bowling all-rounder Sneh Rana believes that the victory has installed much-needed belief and confidence into the Indian women’s cricket team as they pursue their maiden ICC trophy in a senior tournament.
As India prepares for the Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, starting this Friday, Rana emphasizes that while the team remains favourites for the regional tournament, their ultimate tests lie ahead in the upcoming T20 World Cup and next year’s ODI World Cup, which they will host.
Reflecting on India’s journey towards achieving a global title, Rana drew parallels with the men’s team: “For (winning) the ICC trophy, let’s take the men’s (team’s example), it took almost 10 years to get the trophy. They have been preparing and working hard for it for a long time. To achieve something big, it will not happen overnight.”
Acknowledging areas needing improvement, particularly in fielding, Rana emphasized the team’s commitment to continuous improvement: “When we play N number of matches, the chances of errors are more. But it doesn’t mean that someone is bad at it. Obviously, as a player, when you are on the field, you want to always do your best for your country.”
Rana, who made her debut in 2014 and recently achieved a remarkable 10-wicket haul against South Africa in a Test match, expressed pride in the revival of women’s Test cricket in India. She highlighted the positive steps taken by the BCCI, including the inclusion of multi-day formats in domestic cricket, which she believes provides invaluable opportunities for players.
Speaking about the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Rana credited the tournament for elevating the visibility and competitiveness of Indian women’s cricket: “Since WPL came, we have become a bit more busy. I think the busier, the better. Cricket has got more exposure since WPL came.”
Despite facing the disappointment of being left out of the Asia Cup squad, Rana remains determined to reclaim her place in the national team across formats: “I won’t lie. It was a little heartbreaking to be dropped from the team. But at the same time, it has developed a hunger in me to rejoin the T20 format with my team or the 50-overs game. I’m eagerly waiting for the opportunity.”
Looking ahead, Rana appreciated the continuity provided by head coach Amol Muzumdar, highlighting the benefits of stability in leadership for both players and coaches alike: “Longevity and consistency in the side definitely helps, be it in the regards of coach or a player.”