India head coach Amol Muzumdar has called for patience after the team’s exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, saying the bowling attack is still developing while admitting that the absence of all-rounder Shreyanka Patil was a significant blow during the tournament.
India’s campaign ended with a defeat to Australia, where the bowlers again found it difficult to contain a strong batting lineup. Although the result sparked debate over the team’s tactics, Muzumdar maintained that India’s approach would continue to focus on taking wickets rather than restricting the scoring rate.
“We always talk in our meetings about picking up wickets. Whatever be the format of the game – whether it is T20, 50-over, or Test match cricket – it is all about picking up wickets when you’re on the field. Containment is never a line that we use. We always think about picking up wickets in the dressing room, and I think that will be the mode of operation going forward as well. We keep thinking of wickets when the ball is in our hand.”
Muzumdar Backs Young Bowling Group
Despite the bowling unit facing challenges throughout the competition, Muzumdar stressed that the attack remains relatively inexperienced at the international level.
He believes the current group needs time to grow before it can consistently perform at the highest level.
“If you look at our bowling attack, it’s been very inexperienced as far as international cricket is concerned. So, I’ve said this before in the previous press conference: give us 18 months and this attack will be a different one.”
Shreyanka Patil’s Absence Felt Against Australia
While expressing confidence in the long-term future of the bowling unit, Muzumdar admitted that India missed Shreyanka Patil after the all-rounder was ruled out of the latter stages of the tournament because of injury.
Patil has become an important part of India’s white-ball side by providing control in the middle overs and regularly breaking partnerships. Her all-round abilities have also given the team greater balance in recent seasons.
“And also, it didn’t help Shreyanka not being there. Shreyanka was probably one of our strikers. So it didn’t help her missing out on half of the tournament. We really missed her in this game today. I think she would have made a difference on that pitch and on this ground.”
Muzumdar felt the conditions against Australia would have suited Patil’s bowling style and suggested her presence could have changed the course of the match. Without her, India lacked an experienced wicket-taking option during the middle overs, allowing Australia to remain in control of the chase.
India Looking Ahead
The India coach also believed his side had posted a competitive first-innings total after finishing strongly with the bat, but accepted that Australia produced the better performance on the day.
“I thought it was a good score, a par score on this pitch. We even got the momentum towards the end of that innings, and I think we carried it on the field as well. It’s just that I think at the end of the day, Australia were a better side than us.”
India’s elimination has once again brought attention to the need for greater bowling depth within the squad. Although Muzumdar remains convinced the current attack will improve over the next 18 months, his comments highlighted the importance of Shreyanka Patil to India’s plans.
As preparations begin for future ICC tournaments, strengthening the bowling unit while ensuring key players such as Patil remain available is expected to remain a major priority.
