The Indian Women’s team suffered a heartbreaking loss against Australia in the semi-final of the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup. Addressing this defeat, former Indian Women’s captain Diana Edulji was extremely furious and demanded that the BCCI needs to crack the whip for the team’s continued mistakes.
Edulji has also been part of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee which ran the BCCI for 33 months. She demanded the current Indian players drastically improve their fitness. Edulji believes that this factor has always lingered around the team and has often played a crucial role in big tournaments like the World Cup.
While talking to PTI, Diana Edulji said, “You are definitely looking at an overhaul (in terms of planning and preparation after the World Cup loss). They need to improve fitness, first of all, their fielding, their catching (and) running between the wickets. Unless you have strength in the legs, you won't be able to run. They need absolute danda to reach the top. You are getting everything from the BCCI including equal play.”
She further wants the board to take some strong decisions to bring a major change in the functioning of the team both on and off the field. “Every time you lose a winning game, it is a habit. BCCI has to take a strong call and not give in to the demands of the players. Have a proper strategy for the future. We have had enough of this star culture. It is not going to work like this,” said Edulji.
Diana Edulji further made another major claim and stated that many members will outright fail the Yo-Yo Test and have poorer fitness conditions than the U-19 team. She said, “I found the U-19 team much fitter than the seniors. They didn't choke in the final. From 2017 to 2023 it is the same old story (for the senior team). The BCCI must have proper assessment of players' fitness. I know yo-yo test is a bit tough for women. Out of 15, 12 will fail that test but you have a different criteria for them for acceptable fitness standards.”
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