NEW DELHI: India’s women’s cricket team has seen a surge in success in Test matches since head coach Amol Muzumdar took charge in October 2023, winning consecutive games against England, Australia, and South Africa. Sneh Rana, an off-spin all-rounder, credits Muzumdar’s positive influence and strategic insights for the team’s achievements, highlighting his ability to motivate players and maximize their potential.
Rana emphasized Muzumdar’s role in the team’s dynamics, particularly his approachability and positive impact on players.
“Whenever we go to talk to sir, he has such a positive impact on the player. He is a go-to person, with whom you can talk anytime in the team. If you have any doubt, you can always go to him and talk,” she explained in an exclusive interview with IANS.
Understanding each player’s strengths is a key aspect of Muzumdar’s coaching style. “He knows each and every player so well, and the positivity he brings to the squad is incredible,” Rana noted.
The team’s adaptability and focus on the longer format have been crucial in their recent victories, according to Rana. She underscored the importance of mindset and skills, which remain consistent across formats.
“Playing this format tests a player. Plus, in India, there is already so much talent. So I think, there is only a difference in the colour – white-ball and red-ball, because mostly your mindset and skills are the same,” she elaborated.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) efforts in incorporating multi-day cricket into the domestic schedule have also contributed to the team’s preparedness for Test matches.
“That also helps a player in how to showcase your cricket at that level, as well as how to prepare for three or four days of playing cricket, and how to make that mindset,” Rana mentioned.
This success has led to the revival of the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-Day tournament, which took place in Pune from April to May after being on hiatus since 2018. This tournament provided significant red-ball cricket experience for top players. The upcoming domestic season will feature the Multi-Day Challenger Trophy, furthering opportunities for players to hone their skills in the longer format.
Rana noted the introduction of young talent into the team and the positive impact of multi-day cricket on their development, citing Test cricket’s role in enhancing players’ patience and match temperament. “I believe that Test cricket is the purest form, simply. I have waited so many years to play Test cricket. In 2014, the last Test was in India and after a long gap, now Test matches are happening,” she pointed out.
Looking forward, Rana expressed her support for establishing a World Test Championship (WTC) for women, akin to the men’s format. She believes such a championship would promote greater participation and growth in women’s Test cricket globally. “Obviously, WTC will have a very big impact because a lot of players will come forward. So, if WTC happens, many countries will get a chance to showcase themselves – like, South Africa, where there are not so many Tests, and Australia, who play Tests via the Ashes too,” she concluded.
Rana emphasized Muzumdar’s role in the team’s dynamics, particularly his approachability and positive impact on players.
“Whenever we go to talk to sir, he has such a positive impact on the player. He is a go-to person, with whom you can talk anytime in the team. If you have any doubt, you can always go to him and talk,” she explained in an exclusive interview with IANS.
Understanding each player’s strengths is a key aspect of Muzumdar’s coaching style. “He knows each and every player so well, and the positivity he brings to the squad is incredible,” Rana noted.
The team’s adaptability and focus on the longer format have been crucial in their recent victories, according to Rana. She underscored the importance of mindset and skills, which remain consistent across formats.
“Playing this format tests a player. Plus, in India, there is already so much talent. So I think, there is only a difference in the colour – white-ball and red-ball, because mostly your mindset and skills are the same,” she elaborated.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) efforts in incorporating multi-day cricket into the domestic schedule have also contributed to the team’s preparedness for Test matches.
“That also helps a player in how to showcase your cricket at that level, as well as how to prepare for three or four days of playing cricket, and how to make that mindset,” Rana mentioned.
This success has led to the revival of the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-Day tournament, which took place in Pune from April to May after being on hiatus since 2018. This tournament provided significant red-ball cricket experience for top players. The upcoming domestic season will feature the Multi-Day Challenger Trophy, furthering opportunities for players to hone their skills in the longer format.
Rana noted the introduction of young talent into the team and the positive impact of multi-day cricket on their development, citing Test cricket’s role in enhancing players’ patience and match temperament. “I believe that Test cricket is the purest form, simply. I have waited so many years to play Test cricket. In 2014, the last Test was in India and after a long gap, now Test matches are happening,” she pointed out.
Looking forward, Rana expressed her support for establishing a World Test Championship (WTC) for women, akin to the men’s format. She believes such a championship would promote greater participation and growth in women’s Test cricket globally. “Obviously, WTC will have a very big impact because a lot of players will come forward. So, if WTC happens, many countries will get a chance to showcase themselves – like, South Africa, where there are not so many Tests, and Australia, who play Tests via the Ashes too,” she concluded.
