India’s ability to handle pressure will be put to the test as they face their biggest hurdle in must-win game.
India’s ability of handling high-pressure situations and the improvements they’ve made via the WPL will be put to the test against New Zealand.
India’s incapacity to withstand pressure was blamed for their inability to cross the finish line as they narrowly missed winning a global championship twice in three years, in the ODI global Cup in 2017 and the T20 World Cup in 2020. In particular, the kind where a trophy is at stake.
To help the players perform better in that area, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) was introduced. India has resumed its long-standing practice of faltering with victory in sight despite the fact that the fourth season is only a few months away.
Mumbai in 2023. Perth in 2024. Even Delhi 2025 had to contend with a 412 objective. Last but not least, Indore 2025.
On three of these four times, India faced up against Australia. In each case, India lost from a rather comfortable position and lost wickets in a heap. Consider the ODI in Perth. After 35 overs, India was 184 for 3 in their pursuit of 299 runs. India required 115 from 90 balls, Jemimah Rodrigues was off to a smooth start, and Smriti Mandhana had just reached her century. India was knocked out for 215 after a collapse of 7 for 26.
At Wankhede Stadium two years ago, India wasted a target of 259 and an ask of 41 off 38 balls. India lost 4 for 25 and missed the final kick after Richa Ghosh was out for 96, falling short by three runs.
India made a fierce attempt at a world-record target in Delhi. Mandhana maintained the challenge with the second-fastest ODI century. Unlikely expectations were raised by the eighth-wicket combination between Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana. India then finished at 369 after losing 3 for 15. No team should be disqualified for failing to pursue 413, but that chase was significant because, similar to Sunday, they were without Rodrigues. They had to cover other issues, so they were shorthanded.
Obviously, there is more work to be done, but part of it has already been completed. Players have been exposed to more attention and higher stakes as a result of the WPL’s rise. It takes place at important Indian locations, and games are frequently televised for prime-time viewers and in front of large crowds. Importantly, it has even produced two important players who are competing in 2017 World Cup: left-arm spinner N Shree Charani and fast bowler Kranti Gaud.
India has been proven wanting under pressure despite all of this, thus further research is necessary.
Sports psychologist Mughda Bavare, who also worked with the team during the 2022 ODI World Cup, spoke with the Indian players just prior to the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last year. Harmanpreet spoke eloquently on the influence these sessions had on her at the time.
In terms of skill, no team has ever challenged Australia and England as India has. However, they still have some work to do in the battle of the nerves and the mind. When they abandoned their tried-and-true lineup of six hitters and five bowlers on Sunday, that was the situation in Indore. To balancing the starting lineup against New Zealand, they might make personnel adjustments once more.
Their single advantage is that they will play all of the remaining World Cup matches, including the elimination stages, at the DY Patil Stadium, a location they are accustomed to. Navi Mumbai 2025 might not need to be put to the list if they take that action.