Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 25 (NationPress) Vaishnavi Sharma’s selection to the Indian squad for the current T20I series against Sri Lanka is a testament to her outstanding domestic performances, as stated by head coach Amol Muzumdar on Thursday. Vaishnavi has begun her T20I journey impressively, taking 2 wickets for 32 runs in the second match against Sri Lanka, following her debut in the series opener in Visakhapatnam, where she conceded just 16 runs over four overs.

“She has responded brilliantly to our expectations. It’s commendable that she comes from the Under-19 category. Her achievements in the Under-19 setup were recognized, along with her domestic performance. I want to emphasize that her domestic performance played a crucial role in her selection. So, big kudos to the selectors,” remarked Muzumdar during the pre-match press briefing.

Earlier this year, Vaishnavi was part of the Under-19 team that won the Women’s T20 World Cup, finishing as the tournament's top wicket-taker with 17 dismissals. The left-arm spinner has also shone in the current domestic season, claiming 21 wickets in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy and leading with 12 wickets in just five matches at the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal T20s.

Although she went unsold in the WPL 2026 mega auction, she has delivered impressive performances against Sri Lanka so far. “In the past two matches, her potential has been evident. The control she has demonstrated, both in her skills and mental strength, is remarkable. She appears calm and composed. As I said, she looks very promising,” Muzumdar added.

With the T20 World Cup scheduled for June-July 2026 in England, Muzumdar emphasized the importance of establishing a stable team composition ahead of the major tournament. “We aim to be as settled as possible. We had a similar approach during the ODI World Cup. With just six months until the T20 World Cup, we are mindful of what needs improvement and the direction we want to take this T20 team,” he explained.

India has faced some inconsistencies in fielding, but Muzumdar mentioned their commitment to continuous improvement across all game aspects. “We consistently discuss enhancing all four facets of the game: batting, bowling, fielding, and fitness. We aim to be a progressive team, engaging in both lengthy and brief discussions to ensure daily improvement in every aspect,” he noted.

Post-ODI World Cup victory, the team has become a source of national pride, with Muzumdar observing a noticeable increase in the team's morale during practice and matches. “In the past 45 days, I haven’t seen any significant changes, but the positive shift in their attitude is evident. They seem happier on the field, which is a delightful change. Since November 2, they have carried the tag of champions well. Their performance in the first two matches has been commendable. Sri Lanka is a formidable opponent with exceptional players, and we respect every challenge they present,”