Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: BCCI Do Everything For These Girls - Former India Skipper Diana Edulji Blames National Side For Sub-Par Performance

Diana Edulji, former India captain, has stated that India’s U-19 team showed better fielding skills during their successful T20 World Cup campaign compared to the senior team’s performance in South Africa. 

She also expressed concern that many players may struggle if the ‘yo-yo’ fitness test becomes mandatory in women’s cricket. Edulji was dismayed by India’s fielding display in the T20 World Cup semifinal in Cape Town, attributing it to poor fitness levels. She felt that Harmanpreet Kaur, the team’s captain, was lackadaisical while attempting the second run, which ultimately resulted in a crucial run-out.

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Edulji emphasized that India’s subpar fielding and running between the wickets in the T20 World Cup were a direct result of poor fitness levels. She also noted that the team’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, was not sufficiently cautious while attempting the second run, which ultimately resulted in a significant run-out.

Given that another T20 World Cup is slated for September 2022, Edulji believes that the BCCI should appoint a permanent support staff for the women’s team instead of relying on ad-hoc personnel from the NCA.

Every Time India Lose A Winning Game, It’s A Habit Now: Diana Edulji

Edulji strongly criticized the current squad’s fitness levels, stating that the U-19 World Cup-winning team appeared to be in better shape. She expressed disappointment in the senior team’s repeated failures and called for the BCCI to conduct thorough evaluations of players’ fitness.

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“You are definitely looking at an overhaul. They need to improve fitness, first of all, their fielding, their catching running between the wickets. Unless you have strength in the legs, you won’t be able to run. BCCI needs to crack the whip to reach the top. You are getting everything from the BCCI including equal play.”

“Every time you lose a winning game, it is a habit. BCCI has to take a strong call and not give in to the demands of the players. Have a proper strategy for the future. We have had enough of this star culture. It is not going to work like this.”

Edulji acknowledged that the yo-yo test, in particular, can be challenging for women and predicted that a large number of players would fail, with only three out of 15 passing the test.

Also Read: Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: Harmanpreet Kaur’s Dismissal Was Unfortunate For Us – Jemimah Rodrigues Speaks After Heartbreaking Loss Against Australia

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