After the Indian women’s team won their first-ever T20I series against England, coach Amol Muzumdar has credited India’s accomplishment to the Women’s Premier League, claiming the tournament had played an “integral part” in the progress of the players.
“WPL has been an integral part of the progress of the players. There’s no doubt about it. But there are other tournaments as well in India which we really have a good look at it. There are so many domestic players playing,” said Muzumdar during the post-match press conference after India lost the fifth and last T20I by five wickets but won the series 3-2 courtesy of some exceptional cricket played by the Indian women.
“WPL is just a part of the initiative of the BCCI. So, I think it’s been a happy hunting ground for us, the WPL. But at the same time, there are other tournaments which also take the importance,” he added.
Left-arm spinner Shree Charani, the debutant for India, was a vital cog in India’s series win. She was adjudged the Player of the Series after picking 10 wickets across the five T20Is.
Praising Charani, coach Muzumdar said the 20-year-old had been “the find of the WPL.”
“I guess, you know, from WPL we identified her and then I think her progress has been fantastic. She’s been phenomenal in this series. We had a good look at her in the Sri Lanka series where we played a tri-series against South Africa and Sri Lanka. So, I think she’s been the find. We were searching for a left-arm spinner and she’s fitted the bill perfectly,” he said.
With the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled in England in less than a year, Muzumdar believes the tour has given his side good preparation for the global event. “…World Cup in 2026, same place. So we’ve picked the squad accordingly and we’ve started on a good note, I guess. Winning the T20 series here against England, that too the first time ever. So it’s a pleasing result. The preparation has already started,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
