Monday, Jul 24, 2017

Dubai. India’s creditable show in the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will boost women’s cricket in India.

Speaking to Gulf News soon after India lost narrowly by nine runs to hosts England in the World Cup final at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday, Biju George, the fielding coach of the India women’s team said: “Our performance in this World Cup will bring about a huge change for women’s cricket in India.”

George, who was the fielding coach of the national Under-19 women’s team and formerly Kuwait team’s head coach, had worked hard for hours with the women cricketers and had even shaped their approach to the game. “Their work ethics were excellent and all the girls worked hard with head coach Tushar Arothe,” added George, who talent scouts for Kolkata Knight Riders and had shaped India’s promising star Sanju Samson.

When asked about the main factor behind helped India beating top teams and reaching the final, George said: “The unity in the team is the factor that helped us beat all the top teams. All the girls worked hard throughout with coach Tushar and showed the same qualities on the field,” said George, who is also a Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) coach and was also the fielding coach of the India Under-19 boys team during the World Cup and Asia Cup in 2014.

Though women’s cricket is growing in India, a systematic and professional approach to boost the team had began only recently. George had to work hard to bring the best out of the girls on the field, especially in fielding. “It was challenging to bring the girls out of their familiar zones. However they responded well.

To a query as to how disappointing was it to lose the final despite being in a commanding position and so close to victory, George said: “The team needs more experience. It is important to face many such situations and thereby become stronger.”

It wasn’t easy to beat formidable teams like Australia and reach the final. “One big asset of the team was that they all played with zero ego and arrogance. It was fun all the way and they played enjoying every match,” said George, who introduced various methods to make the girls quicker on their feet and accurate while throwing. He made them throw at smaller stumps from all directions in order to aim low and hit the stumps.

Indian skipper Mithali Raj not only hailed her teammates but also the support staff. “As a captain I am very proud of what we could do. I have seen the changes the girls have made. I’ve seen the transition,” said Raj.

By K.R. Nayar Chief Cricket Writer

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