The countdown to the ODI World Cup in India brings with it a wave of excitement and anticipation for the nation’s women’s cricket team. Yet, as former coach WV Raman repeatedly cautions, the prospect of competing on home soil is anything but a straightforward advantage.
The familiar pitches and roaring supporters at Indian stadiums can turn a regular match into a celebration of national pride, but Raman urges the team and fans alike to temper their optimism. “Let’s not sit back and relax thinking that because the tournament is in India, because the conditions will be spin-friendly, India can just walk over all the other teams,” he cautions, pinpointing the dangers of complacency. In his view, local familiarity is no substitute for hard work and sharp execution: “No, it’s not going to happen. They got to really play at their best.”
While subcontinental conditions often favor spinners, Raman highlights a dramatic shift in global cricket capabilities. “Australia, England and New Zealand also have very good spinners, which means there will be a lot of challenges for India as well,” he observes. The presumed advantage of home pitches could easily be neutralized unless strategies evolve and performance remains consistently high.
Raman addresses another critical facet—mental resilience. “While it is always a fantastic thing to play a World Cup at home, it can be a double-edged sword for there could be added pressure to win every game,” he notes. Handling the psychological stresses of expectation, scrutiny, and the hope of millions is as vital as technical preparation. “It all depends on how the girls handle that,” Raman emphasizes, reinforcing the importance of composure in crunch moments.
Recent years have shown India’s women’s team consistently on the brink of lasting success. “Even in the recent past…India was always just one match, or one big performance or one stroke of luck away from becoming champions. That being the case, I think they will start as one of the strong contenders,” says Raman with optimism and realism. For him, the upcoming ODI series against Australia should serve as a “dress rehearsal,” a chance to hone focus and process rather than merely chasing results.
As India prepares for a pivotal tournament, Raman’s message is clear. Confidence must be balanced with vigilance. Success will depend not just on the advantage of being at home, but on determination, adaptability, and mental fortitude. Quoting his belief in the team’s potential, Raman adds: “If they win, it can be a morale-booster because they would then feel if we can do it here, we can do it in a World Cup too”.
With the world watching, India’s women cricketers are reminded that the biggest edge of playing at home comes from how they handle both the pulse of the crowd and the pressures of expectation.
The quotes are sourced from The Times of India.
