NEW DELHI: A well-settled India are experimenting with a few combinations in the ongoing five-match T20I series against visiting Sri Lanka, keeping an eye on next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UK, head coach Amol Muzumdar said on Thursday.
Reigning ODI world champions India have already surged to a 2-0 lead and will look to wrap up the series when they take the field for the third game on Friday.
India clinched the opening two T20Is by eight and seven wickets respectively in Visakhapatnam.
Focus on World Cup preparation
“We tried to be as settled as possible during the ODI World Cup as well. Six months down the line there is a T20 World Cup and we are very well aware of certain things, what we need to do and in what direction we want to take this T20 side,” Muzumdar said on the eve of the match.
“Trying out a lot of stuff, making sure that we are well and truly settled before the World Cup.”
Muzumdar stressed that India remains a progressive unit, always aiming to raise standards across departments.
“We consistently talk about improving in all the three facets of the game. In fact, there is a fourth one now, which is fitness. Nothing in particular about one facet of the game.
“We are a progressive side, constantly we are trying to improve day by day,” he said.
The coach also noted the positive mood in the camp following the ODI World Cup triumph.
“I haven’t seen any changes in the last 45 days. Whatever it is, it’s a pleasant change. They seemed to be more happy on the ground. It’s a good place to be in.
“The tag they will always carry that now and they are well equipped to carry that tag. Whatever I saw in the first two games it was a fantastic effort,” Muzumdar said.
No complacency against Sri Lanka
Despite the dominant start, Muzumdar cautioned his side against taking Sri Lanka lightly.
“Sri Lanka is a very good side, there is no doubt about it. Every opponent we look at it as a challenge. We have got some fantastic players but every opponent we do treat them with equal respect.”
Muzumdar added that the final playing XI would be decided only on match day after assessing conditions.
“It’s not about challenges, it’s about identifying and knowing the conditions. It’s not constantly about challenges, bowling first is a good option and if we feel that batting first is a good option in this ground, we will decide,” he said.
“We will get a fair idea about the pitch and the entire ground, we intend to spend a lot of time in the ground today and will decide accordingly.
“We will decide the playing XI on the morning.”
(With PTI Inputs)
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