Muzumdar: ‘India hungry to win some tournaments’

[Muzumdar stresses India’s hunger for tournament success] Head coach Amol Muzumdar says there is “huge scope” for his side as India prepares to rectify its shortcomings after being eliminated from the recent T20 World Cup without reaching the semi‑finals. He described his squad as “hungry” for victory and urged players to adopt an “aggressive” approach, aiming to set the tone for the next six months—including the ongoing Asia Cup in Dubai, the Asian Games in Japan next month, and the inaugural Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka in February.

Before India’s opening match in the Asia Cup against Thailand, Muzumdar faced sharp questioning over the team’s tournament record: just seven wins from 16 matches this season translate to a win‑loss ratio of .77, ranking them above West Indies, the Netherlands and Pakistan among squads that featured in the last T20 World Cup.

“We don’t pay too much attention to the form that you’re talking about,” Muzumdar replied. “But at the same time, we recognize the enormous room for improvement. This is a young side. If you look at it, we are trying to play good, aggressive cricket. From here on, we will try to set the tone for the next six months.”

He added: “This group has been special. The ODI setup went well, and our Test series proved tough—winning four of the last five Tests. The side is hungry for success; every tournament matters. The players are determined to achieve triumph now and in the future.”

During the T20 World Cup in the U.K., India lost to larger opponents such as South Africa and Australia due to lapses in fielding, middle‑order breakdowns, frequent on‑field reshuffles, and a fast‑bowling unit unable to take steady wickets. In the Bengaluru base camp—a 15‑day Centre of Excellence programme—the staff honed fitness, strength, conditioning, and fielding fundamentals. “There is clear scope for improvement,” Muzumdar said, noting that detailed execution of min‑ute tactical nuances became the focus of the intensive camp.

The squad suffered several key injuries during the tournament: first‑choice players Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam and Shreyanka Patil were all sidelined, while captain Jemimah Rodrigues cracked a hamstring in England and remains absent from both the Asia Cup and the Asian Games. The selectors installed the uncapped Pratika Rawal in his place.

On Rodrigues’ status, Muzumdar insisted she is a “clutch player” essential to the side, acknowledging her impact but also stressing that her rehabilitation at the CoE continues. He assured that other newcomers are ready to fill the gap, reinforcing confidence in the collective group’s progress.

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