The Indian women’s cricket team is gearing up for a crucial phase in their upcoming T20 World Cup preparations. A fitness and conditioning camp is set to kick off in Bengaluru this week, marking the first step towards conquering the T20 World Cup 2024.
Cutting edge is need of the hour for Harmanpreet Kaur and Co.
However, it’s not just physical prowess that the team is looking to enhance. A recurring theme in Indian women’s cricket has been their inability to close out big games. Despite possessing immense talent, the team has often fallen short in high-pressure situations. The recent loss in the Women’s Asia Cup final against an unlikely Sri Lankan team is a stark reminder of this recurring issue.
Preparation camps before Women’s T20 World Cup
Recognizing this, captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been vocal about the need for mental conditioning. In a significant development, the BCCI has responded by assigning a sports psychologist to the team. The news was broken by ESPNcricinfo. The inclusion of a mental health expert is a proactive step towards addressing the psychological challenges faced by the Women in Blue.
It is pertinent to note that star players including Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Jemimah Rodrigues won’t be part of the first two camps, given their commitment to foreign T20 leagues. Meanwhile, Shreyanka Patil, who was injured during the recent Women’s Asia Cup, is expected to be part of the camp.
The camp, designed to focus on fielding, fitness, and skill-specific training, will be followed by an intensive skill-based camp closer to the World Cup. While these physical aspects are undoubtedly essential, the psychological preparation provided by the sports psychologist could prove to be a game-changer.
India has shown glimpses of brilliance, but the team has consistently fallen short when it matters most. If they can overcome the mental barriers, they have the potential to challenge Australia’s dominance and lift their first T20 World Cup trophy.
