Will India Women Prepare in Visakhapatnam for ODI World Cup?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Preparatory camp in Visakhapatnam from August 25.
- Focus on skill enhancement and team dynamics.
- Key players returning from injury.
- India aims for its first World Cup title.
- Competition starts on September 30 against Sri Lanka.
New Delhi, Aug 20 (NationPress) The Indian women's cricket team is set to engage in a week-long preparatory camp in Visakhapatnam prior to the ODI World Cup. According to sources from IANS, players are expected to arrive in Visakhapatnam on August 24, with the camp commencing the following day.
As per IANS, this week-long camp will include the entire 15-member World Cup squad along with reserve players, although the detailed schedule is still under discussion. “Team members currently in Australia for the ongoing ‘A’ tour may join the camp directly in Visakhapatnam after their four-day match,” additional sources indicated.
Recently, the squad led by Harmanpreet Kaur completed a ten-day preparatory camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru to gear up for the Women’s ODI World Cup, which kicks off on September 30.
The CoE camp emphasized strength and conditioning, match simulations, and skill-specific drills. Choosing Visakhapatnam as the location for the upcoming camp is advantageous for the Indian team, especially since they are scheduled to face South Africa and defending champions Australia in two World Cup league stage matches on October 9 and 12.
On Wednesday, India revealed its 15-member squad and five reserve players during a press conference led by captain Harmanpreet and chief selector Neetu David at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. In the squad, fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur and all-rounder Amanjot Kaur were included after recovering from their respective injuries.
Amanjot has been rested for the three-match ODI series against Australia leading up to the World Cup to manage a flare-up of a back issue, while Renuka returns after healing from a stress fracture. Shafali Verma has been excluded from the squad but is part of the India ‘A’ team for the World Cup warm-up matches.
India will kick off the eight-team tournament against co-hosts Sri Lanka on September 30. Notably, India has yet to win the Women’s ODI World Cup but has been a runner-up in the 2005 and 2017 editions.