Since October 2023, the Indian women’s cricket team has had a good run of success in Test matches under the stewardship of head coach Amol Muzumdar, winning successive fixtures against England, Australia and South Africa. Sneh Rana, an off-spin all-rounder, attributes this to Muzumdar’s motivating ability and knack for getting the best out of the players.
Rana stressed on Muzumdar’s invisible role in how players relate with each other or even within themselves.
“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.
Muzumdar’s coaching style articulated by Rana puts importance on understanding each player’s strengths. “He knows each and every player so well, and the positivity he brings to the squad is incredible,” Rana noted.
According to Rana it was their adaptability as well as concentration on longer format that mattered most for them during recent wins. She also mentioned that mindset is more important than skills because they are consistent across formats.
“Playing this format tests a player. Plus, in India there is already so much talent. So I think there is only difference in colour – white-ball and red-ball because mostly your mindset and skills are same,” she elaborated.
The BCCI’s efforts towards having multi-day cricket include in domestic schedule have contribute significantly towards preparing the team for test matches too.
“That also helps a player how to showcase your cricket at that level but how ready you are for playing days ahead of cricket game three or four days….” Rana mentioned.
That led to revival of Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-Day tournament which happened in Pune from April till May after being on break since 2018. For leading female cricketers this tournament would have been very important to take part in red-ball cricket. Also, the upcoming domestic season will mark the Multi-Day Challenger Trophy, thus providing another chance for players to improve their skills in long formats.
Rana emphasized that young blood has been introduced into this team and they have benefited from playing multi-day cricket with such games test matches help them become more patient and develop mental toughness. “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; Australia who plays Tests through Ashes too,” she concluded.
