2nd ODI: Tejal Hasabnis credits preparation and clarity for strong form
Synopsis
Tejal Hasabnis's back-to-back half-centuries for India A against Australia A — 81 and 60 — were built on a clear preparation framework that simulates match pressure in the nets. Now recalled to the senior side for the Zimbabwe ODI series, she goes into the second game with India already up 1-0 and a philosophy of 'clarity gives results' fuelling her confidence.
Key Takeaways
Tejal Hasabnis was recalled to the Indian senior side after scoring 81 and 60 for India A against Australia A in Mohali, helping clinch the series 2-1 .
She credits preparation in match-like scenarios as the key to batting clarity in the middle order .
Tejal described her game as having 'both gears' — the ability to attack as well as rotate strike depending on the team's need.
India won the first ODI against Zimbabwe by nine wickets , taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
The second ODI is scheduled at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara on Sunday, 26 October 2025 .
India batter Tejal Hasabnis says thorough preparation for varied match situations has been the cornerstone of her recent batting resurgence, giving her the mental clarity she needs when walking in at the middle order. Speaking ahead of the second ODI against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara on Sunday, 26 October 2025, Tejal outlined the thought process that has powered her back into the national setup.
Twin Half-Centuries That Earned a Recall
Tejal's route back to the senior Indian side came via a dominant showing for India A in the 50-over series against Australia A in Mohali, where she struck back-to-back scores of 81 and 60 to help her side clinch the series 2-1. The performances were persuasive enough to earn her a recall for the ongoing ODI series against Zimbabwe.
Reflecting on those knocks, the right-handed batter said staying anchored in the present and reading the match situation closely were the keys. 'I was just trying to look and stay present, and I was just looking at the scoreboard and adapting accordingly, and it helped me, and technically, I was just trying to be one step ahead of them and it worked,' she said.
The Preparation Philosophy
In a pre-match chat with broadcasters, Tejal elaborated on how she simulates match conditions during practice sessions. 'I feel preparation is very crucial as a middle-order batter because I try to be in different kind of situations. I practice that a lot in different areas. Like what areas I can target or what kind of innings I want to build,' she explained.
'When I'm playing in the match, I just try to have more clarity as I guess clarity gives more results. Good preparation always helps to become clear and clarity gives better output,' she added. The approach reflects a structured mental framework that many top middle-order batters credit for consistency under pressure.
Mindset Over Mechanics
When pressed on whether her preparation leans more towards the mental or the technical, Tejal was clear that self-belief takes precedence. 'It's just about mindset. I know that I have both the gears — like whenever a team needs, I can just put my foot down and attack and if given a situation, I know I am good at rotating sides. So it's just about having that belief and following the scoreboard,' she said.
This dual capability — the ability to accelerate when required and rotate strike during consolidation — is precisely the skillset India's middle order demands in the 50-over format.
India Look to Build on Series Opener Win
India go into the second ODI with considerable confidence after winning the series opener by nine wickets — a comprehensive margin that signals the hosts are in dominant form against Zimbabwe. Tejal echoed the team's intent to stay focused on the process rather than the result. 'Winning and dominating is something we are looking forward to and winning is always good. So we'll just try to focus on our process and make today count,' she said.
With the series already tilting India's way, the second game offers Tejal another opportunity to cement her place in a side that will soon turn its attention to bigger bilateral assignments.
Point of View
Systems-based thinking: she is not riding form, she is engineering it. For a middle-order spot that Indian women's cricket has historically struggled to fill consistently, that kind of structural self-awareness is more valuable than a flash of natural talent. The real question is whether she gets a long enough run in the senior side to convert that clarity into a dependable series record.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Tejal Hasabnis recalled to the Indian women's team?
Tejal Hasabnis was recalled to the Indian senior side after scoring back-to-back half-centuries — 81 and 60 — for India A against Australia A in Mohali, which helped India A win the 50-over series 2-1. The performances demonstrated her readiness for the international middle order.
What is India's current score in the ODI series against Zimbabwe?
India lead the ODI series against Zimbabwe 1-0 after winning the first match by nine wickets. The second ODI is scheduled at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
How does Tejal Hasabnis describe her preparation approach?
She says she practises in simulated match situations, focusing on which areas to target and what kind of innings to build. She believes good preparation creates clarity, and that clarity directly leads to better results on the field.
Does Tejal Hasabnis consider her preparation more mental or technical?
She considers it primarily mental, emphasising self-belief as the bigger factor. She says knowing she possesses both the attacking gear and the ability to rotate strike gives her the confidence to adapt to whatever situation the match demands.
Where is the second ODI between India and Zimbabwe being played?
The second ODI is being played at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, with Tejal Hasabnis speaking to broadcasters ahead of the game on Sunday, 26 October 2025.
