BCCI to build bench strength of Indian women’s cricket team post-Australia loss

BCCI to expedite the process of strengthening the bench strength of the national team post-India’s loss to Australia. Meanwhile, Australia thrashed India 3-0 in the recently concluded ODI series at Vadodara.

After streamlining the domestic structure and introducing India A tours, the selectors will now create a pool of pacers, spinners and wicket-keepers and test them in a camp at the National Cricket Academy later this month.

BCCI feels that it is the right time to take steps with senior cricketers’ time near the end. The team missed the services of Jhulan Goswami in the Australia series due to an injury.

Meanwhile, The women’s committee comprising CoA member Diana Edulji, Mithali (ODI captain), Harmanpreet Kaur (T20 captain), Hemlata Kala (selection committee chief) and Prof. Ratnakar Shetty (convenor) — will meet on March 28 to review the team’s disappointing performance against Australia and discuss the way forward.

BCCI likely to build bench strength:

Former India captain Edulji stressed that India needs more pacers and spinners. She also talked about more firepower in the batting order and urged consistency from senior cricketers.

“There is a definite need for more quality pace bowlers and spinners. The Australia series showed us that. They played our spinners rather easily while our team struggled against theirs. We also need more firepower in the batting department,” Edulji told PTI.

Looking ahead, the board is planning to scout for talent from all parts of the country including the North East.

“The recent tweaks in the domestic structure, including the introduction of the U-16 category, will take a while to take shape. But there is still a need to find the right available talent from all parts of India including North East, an area which has not been explored much,” Edulji added.

Meanwhile, the popularity of the women’s game has gone since India stint in the World Cup last year. The women in blues made it to the finals and lost it to host England by nine runs.