India great concerned by team's consistency ahead of T20WC
Diana Edulji is hopeful, rather than confident, ahead of India's T20 World Cup campaign in England and Wales.
India great and ICC Hall of Famer Diana Edulji is hopeful her former side can turn their recent success at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup into a maiden title at the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
The Asian side took all before them to claim their inaugural 50-over World Cup title on home soil in November and will now look to do similar in the shortest format when the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup commences in England and Wales on June 12.
India legends join in World Cup celebrations | CWC25
India legends Jhulan Goswami (2002-2022), Mithali Raj (1999-2002) and Anjum Chopra (1995-2012) join the team as they celebrate winning the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup
While India have shown their capabilities in 20-over cricket in the past and even defeated six-time T20 World Cup champions Australia during a recent T20I series Down Under earlier this year, Edulji - who played 54 matches for India last century before a lengthy period as an administrator that saw her earn a place in the ICC Hall of Fame - is concerned by the side's lack of consistency in the shortest format.
“T20 is a different game altogether, and teams doing well depends on each player’s contribution, and I want big guns to fire, and a total of 170-180 will be challenging,” Edulji told Olympics.com.
“But we are good in the 50-over format, in T20 it is a different ball game.
“We do have young cricketers taking to this game. T20, I am not sure, I have witnessed in the last match against South Africa in Durban, which shows what our girls lack.”
Diana Edulji: ICC Hall of Fame 2023 inductee
Diana Edulji: ICC Hall of Fame 2023 inductee
That match that Edulji references was part of India's current T20I series against South Africa, a five-game series that the Proteas have dominated the majority of courtesy of victories in the first three contests.
India did claim the fourth match of the series partly due to the heroics of all-rounder Deepti Sharma and her five-wicket haul, though Edulji wonders if the side is slightly off the pace in T20I cricket heading into the T20 World Cup.
“The odds are against our girls, and it will not take time for them to adapt," she added.
"I am sure that in the time to come, we will see them filling the gaps. We have proved a better side in ODI and consistency in this shorter version (is key). Girls will prove to themselves that they are the best. Let us hope for the best.”
India are drawn in Group A at the T20 World Cup, with the side scheduled to take on Australia, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Pakistan and South Africa ahead of the knockout stages.