Diana Edulji unhappy with cricket team, lambasts players for being 'lazy'

"Not consistent enough," sharp words from India's former captain Diana Edulji who says the Indian women’s team is not ready for T20 World Cup Cricket. She feels that “there is something wrong with this team. This is a team which can win every game and it does win from an unlikely situation but the next game it is losing from a comfortable position like it did today. They are simply not consistent enough." The T20 World Cup begins in Australia from February 21.

Eduji believes the team will have to learn from the mistakes it is making if they want to make it to the top. The upcoming T20 World Cup is crucial for team India as recently they lost to Australia in the tri-series final in Melbourne. Team India was 144 all out after being 115 for three in the 15th over.

“They have all the facilities at their disposal now, at par with men, and yet they have not been able to play consistent cricket and win ICC trophies. If they play like the way they are playing, they will make the semifinals again (at T20 World Cup) but I don’t see them winning the trophy,” Edulji told PTI shortly after India’s loss at the Junction Oval.

Key Takeaways:

• Former captain Diana Edulji says that the Indian women’s team is not ready for T20 World Cup. 
• “They are so lazy that they never try for a second. These are the things that make all the difference. It is a single or a boundary, there is nothing in between,” said Edulji.
• T20 World Cup is to be held in Australia from February 21.

In the tri-series, Australia took home the trophy in the final. Edulji also feels that the team doesn't play well under pressure in big games. They showed some brilliant hits in the semifinals of the 2018 World T20, but failed to impress against England. In 2017, India was cruising towards their maiden ODI World Cup title but finished runners-up.

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Edulji reckons the batters’ running between the wickets and shot selection can be a lot better. “They are so lazy that they never try for a second. These are the things that make all the difference. It is a single or a boundary, there is nothing in between,” said the 64-year.

“Both Harmanpreet and Jemimah need to pull up their socks. Maybe Harman should give up captaincy and play her natural game. Something seems to be troubling her. But who else takes over then. If Smriti is handed captaincy, it might affect her batting too,” said Edulji.

In the bowling department, Edulji says, “It just shows there are no quality pacers in domestic cricket. You only have Shikha Pandey of some calibre. What is being done to produce pacers? We are bound to play with a spin heavy attack if there are no pacers around."

“We are not concentrating on junior cricket enough. How come Australia have pacers who can bowl at 120 kmph and we don’t?” asked Edulji.

“Going forward, they need to undergo mental strengthening courses. At the moment, you will see them making the semis and finals but an added push is required if they are to hold the trophy,” Edulji added. India will start T20 World Cup opener against defending champions Australia on the opening day.

Feature Image Credit: Hindustan Times

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