India hurting after T20 World Cup, but need to look at positives: Amol Muzumdar

Amol Muzumdar said that India are disappointed after an underwhelming campaign in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 where they failed to make their way through to the semis.

Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. are now set to take part in a three-match ODI series against New Zealand, who are fresh from winning the title in the United Arab Emirates under Sophie Devine.

India began their campaign with a 58-run hammering at the hands of the White Ferns before beating Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But the loss to Tahlia McGrath’s Australia in Sharjah pulled the curtains down on their campaign. Muzumdar said that instead of scratching their heads over their poor campaign, India should try and look into the positives.

“It will be an understatement to say that we were disappointed from the World Cup, as the team and the players have been hurting. But we need to gather ourselves and look at the positives that we have done in the last 10 months as a group,” Muzumdar said in the pre-match press conference.

“We had won 3-0 against South Africa just a couple of months back in Bangalore. So, we are really looking forward to the series (against NZ). It is an important series,” Muzumdar said.

‘We are a formidable team’

India have made a few changes to their squad with all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar, leg-spinner Asha Sobhana and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh missing out. Tejal Hasabnis, Sayali Satghare and Priya Mishra are among the new faces, but Muzumdar reckoned that the Indian team has the depth to perform well.

“We are a formidable team and we want to focus on our strengths and work on the areas to improve. I am sure this is going to be a very well-fought series,” Muzumdar added.

The first ODI is scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 24 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.