Experienced middle-order player Deepti Sharma continues to believe in the Indian team’s chances at the Women's World Cup, saying that team spirit has been good even though they have lost in a row. According to her, the break of a week between matches has given the team time to get back together and once again focus on their important match against England on Sunday.
The Indian team’s journey has been obstructed due to consecutive losses by three wickets against South Africa and Australia. As a result, they are now in a position where they have to win. There are only three matches left in the league for the Women in Blue, who need to win at least two games to keep their hopes of a semifinal berth alive.
“Morale is high, and the focus is on positives,” says Deepti Sharma
“We have lost two matches, but our morale is very good because we played two good matches at the start of the tournament,” Deepti told reporters on the eve of the England encounter. “We always go in with a positive mindset and focus more on what we have done well as a team.”
India’s five-bowler strategy has drawn criticism after the lack of a sixth bowling option proved costly in both defeats. When asked if the team would alter its combination, the 28-year-old all-rounder said, “I can’t tell you that. That’s the team management’s call.”
She praised the collective effort of India’s bowling unit, highlighting how different bowlers have stepped up in various phases. “Everyone has performed their roles well — whether in the power play, middle overs, or slog overs. We have planned well for tomorrow’s game,” she added.
Drawing confidence from past success
India had defeated England 2–1 in their previous ODI series in England, a result Deepti believes will boost their confidence. “The last away series gave us a lot of takeaways. We won there, and it’s about applying ourselves on the day. I know their bowling attack and batting approach, so I try to keep my plans simple,” she said.
Reflecting on her own form, Deepti said she focuses on improvement with every game. “I learn from every match, whether good or bad. I try to carry forward those lessons into the next one.”
Backing her captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, who is yet to make a major contribution this tournament, Deepti said, “The kind of player Harman is, she can change a game anytime. She scored a century in our last ODI against England. She’s a match-winner, and we’re confident she’ll deliver tomorrow.”
Speaking about the conditions in Indore, Deepti added that the team has studied previous matches at the Holkar Stadium to prepare for pitch behaviour. “We’ve watched the last couple of games here. The wicket tends to change in the last 20 overs, and we’ve prepared accordingly. We’re positive and ready to execute our plans,” she concluded.
(With PTI Inputs)
