AHMEDABAD: Indian women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar urged the team to get behind the ‘pain’ of the Women’s T20 World Cup and regroup for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting on Thursday.
New Zealand, who went on to win the ICC showpiece, had recently defeated India in their World Cup opener in the UAE as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team failed to reach the knockouts.
“To say we were disappointed with the World Cup because the team and the players were hurt is an understatement. But we need to come together and look at the positive things we have done as a team over the past 10 months.” group,” Muzumdar told the media on the eve of the first one-day event.

Muzumdar reminisced about the team’s dominant run over South Africa recently in Bengaluru, winning the ODI series 3-0, and asked the team to focus on its strengths.
“We had won 3-0 against South Africa in Bangalore a few months ago. So we are really looking forward to the series (against New Zealand). It is an important series.”
“We are a formidable team and we want to focus on our strengths and work on the areas we can improve. I am sure this will be a very well-fought series,” he added.

India will miss the services of injured spinner Asha Sobhana and Richa Ghosh, who is taking her exams, for this series.
Muzumdar, however, said his team has sufficient depth.
“A few of them were forced changes. There won’t be many changes (as the season progresses) because this team is very capable. We have enough depth. We believe in their talent and capabilities and will move forward,” he added.
Huge challenge against India: Devine
New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine said her side is all set to face India in the ODI series, which she called a ‘huge challenge’.
“It will always be a huge challenge to play against India in their conditions. So we’re very excited about that challenge. Obviously, we will build on the momentum we were able to create during the World Cup (T20),” she said.
Devine also said the Kiwis want to accumulate points and qualify for the Women’s ODI World Cup to be held in India next year.
“There are still qualification points on the table, so our first priority is to secure qualification for next year’s World Cup. I think we are in a really good position to come in here and have some success.”
However, the 35-year-old all-rounder warned the Kiwis against taking India lightly after beating them in the recent World Cup.
“I know they will be disappointed after the recent World Cup, but the point is that India are incredibly strong at home. They have depth in their line-up with both bat and ball.
“The way Harman leads them will be crucial. We have to find ways to negate that and be able to take wickets at regular intervals,” she noted.