Playing in 15 ODIs and one Test match for India, Palshikaar stated that the MI Juniors camp will assist identify further players who will get the opportunity to compete in the WPL 2.
While hardly many Indian players made an impression in the first Women’s Premier League, Devieka Palshikaar, the batting coach for the Mumbai Indians, thinks that when the second season begins on February 23, there won’t be any expectation on them to do well.
Among the Indian players for the Mumbai club in the WPL last year, only Harmanpreet Kaur and Saika Ishaque stood out. The MI’s most effective bowler was Ishaque (15 wickets), while Kaur (281 runs) was their most productive scorer.
The all-around performers for the Mumbai team that won the title were English players Hayley Mathews and Nat Sciver-Brunt, who were both abroad.
At a MI Juniors event here, Palshikaar told PTI, “I can talk about MI players because I don’t think our players will take any pressure in the kind of atmosphere we have.”
“There is absolutely no pressure for MI,” she continued, “because our domestic Indian players perform on par with players worldwide.”
Meg Lanning among the finalists (345 runs) The Delhi Capitals topped the batting standings, with Tahlia McGrath of the UP Warriorz, her fellow Australian, coming in second.
Sophie Ecclestone of England and Mathews of the West Indies shared the top wicket-taking total among bowlers with 16 wickets apiece.
Yastika Bhatia of the Mumbai Indians and the Indian wicketkeeper-battler team mentioned that she learned a lot from opening the innings with Mathews.
“The worldwide stars taught me a lot of valuable lessons. They are currently representing the MI team in the WPL after excelling for their nations, the speaker stated.
“I batted in the opening (slot) with Hayley Mathews.” We used to discuss a lot in between overs about how to proceed with the power play or how to approach the next over,” she continued.
She used to ask me, “Are you doing fine?,” and would often aid me and soothe me. In the previous competition, Bhatia mentioned, “Even Nat Sciver (Brunt) had really impressed me and the last two innings which he played for us really inspired me.”
After a demanding home season in which India overcame both the visiting teams in Test matches against England and Australia, Bhatia expressed confidence in her team’s ability to progress even though they lost all three white-ball series.
“We did incredibly well as a team. We defeated both teams, particularly in the Test series, and the support staff really helped to create a great environment. There were many advantages, and you will notice some different outcomes in the upcoming series, the speaker stated.
One Test and fifteen ODIs for India, Palshikaar stated the MI Juniors camp will assist identify additional players who will be given an opportunity to play.
Working with professional coaches will undoubtedly benefit them, and it may even boost their confidence that we are collaborating with MI coaches. That will also offer them an extra boost psychologically and technically, the speaker added.
