India head coach Amol Muzumdar has urged patience following the team’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup exit, insisting the side’s inexperienced bowling attack needs time to develop while admitting the absence of all-rounder Shreyanka Patil proved a major setback during the tournament.
India’s campaign came to an end after defeat to Australia, with the bowling unit once again struggling to contain a strong batting lineup. While the result prompted questions over India’s overall approach, Muzumdar remained steadfast in his belief that the team must continue to pursue wickets rather than adopt a defensive mindset.
“We always talk in our meetings about picking up wickets. Whatever be the format of the game – whether it is T20, 50-over, or Test match cricket – it is all about picking up wickets when you’re on the field. Containment is never a line that we use. We always think about picking up wickets in the dressing room, and I think that will be the mode of operation going forward as well. We keep thinking of wickets when the ball is in our hand.”
Despite India’s bowling struggles throughout the competition, Muzumdar was quick to point out that the current attack is still relatively new to international cricket. With several young bowlers only beginning to establish themselves at the highest level, the head coach believes expectations must be tempered as the group continues to gain experience. “If you look at our bowling attack, it’s been very inexperienced as far as international cricket is concerned. So, I’ve said this before in the previous press conference: give us 18 months and this attack will be a different one.”
While backing the long-term potential of his bowlers, Muzumdar acknowledged that India missed one of their most important attacking options in Shreyanka Patil, who was ruled out of the latter stages of the tournament through injury. Patil has become an integral part of India’s white-ball setup over the past two years offering control through the middle overs while also possessing the ability to break crucial partnerships.
Her all-round value has often allowed India greater flexibility in team combinations, and Muzumdar believes her absence was felt more than ever against Australia. “And also, it didn’t help Shreyanka not being there. Shreyanka was probably one of our strikers. So it didn’t help her missing out on half of the tournament. We really missed her in this game today. I think she would have made a difference on that pitch and on this ground.”
The coach suggested that the conditions against Australia would have suited Patil’s style of bowling, with her knack for attacking the stumps and picking up wickets potentially altering the course of the contest. Without her, India’s relatively inexperienced bowling unit lacked a proven wicket-taking option during the middle overs, allowing Australia to stay in control of the chase.
Muzumdar also felt India had posted a competitive total after recovering well in the closing overs of their innings, but acknowledged Australia ultimately deserved the victory. “I thought it was a good score, a par score on this pitch. We even got the momentum towards the end of that innings, and I think we carried it on the field as well. It’s just that I think at the end of the day, Australia were a better side than us.”
India’s exit has once again reignited discussions around the balance of the side, particularly the need for greater depth in the bowling department. While Muzumdar remains confident that the current crop can develop into an attacking unit over the next 18 months, his repeated references to Shreyanka Patil underlined just how important the young all-rounder has already become to India’s plans.
As the team begins another rebuilding phase ahead of the next ICC events, strengthening the bowling attack and ensuring key players like Patil remain fit appears set to be at the heart of India’s roadmap.
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