Bangalore, Feb 6: Back in the international side and reinstated as captain of the Indian women’s team for the tour to West Indies, Anjum Chopra addressed the media with coach and former cricketer Anju Jain. The two felt the tour would help the Indian team prepare for the forthcoming T20I and ODI World Cups.
Excerpts from the press conference:
On the challenge of leading the side on an away tour
Anjum Chopra: Leading a side anywhere, home or away, is a challenge. But yes, getting back to West Indies for a series definitely [is a challenge]. We are playing away from home and it is a good team. We are prepared for that.
On being back at the helm of things
Anjum Chopra: It feels nice. It’s a great job that the selectors have bestowed upon me and I humbly accepted it. I am humbled by the gesture and the faith shown in me, and my team, by all the key members who have made the decision. It comes with a lot of responsibility and we are moving towards the target. I hope that the journey is fruitful and successful.
On the target that lies ahead
Anjum Chopra: The target is the West Indies tour presently and as we go along, the World Cup coming up home and away, so we’re working towards that. But [we want to take it] one step at a time; the first step is the West Indies tour.
On the team
Anjum Chopra: The team is excellent and has great balance – a mix of seniors and newcomers, youth and experience. We have got a couple of new faces in the squad. That should be a good experience for them, home and away.
On going from cricket to commentary and now back to cricket
Anjum Chopra: I never forgot the fact that I was doing commentary, or [fulfilling] any kind of cricket-related role, because of being a cricketer. I never [stopped] playing the sport. Since I have been doing television for almost ten years, people probably thought that I retired ten years back. Then they say, ‘You are still playing’ and raise eyebrows. Don’t know why that happens. Probably because retired players or senior cricketers used to think that way. But we have seen a lot of change in the trend. A lot of present or active cricketers take up commentary or talk about cricket on television. I have been playing the sport very actively and never left it.
On whether she was happy with the scheduling of games (more T20s and less 50-over games) and whether there should have been three- or four-day games too
Anju Jain: The T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup are coming up so these two formats will be the best to play. [I am] happy that we are playing T20s and one-days.
On how different it would be to lead the side now as compared with a few years ago
Anjum Chopra: First of all, I will be missing the person sitting next to me [Anju Jain] opening the innings for India because the last time she was opening for India, and this time she is in a different role [with the team]. The difference primarily will be that all those players who made their debuts for the Indian team or were very fresh in the squad are much more experienced [now]. As experienced as anybody else is, and I am talking about none other than Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj. Mithali didn’t debut at that time but she was a new face. They are both No. 1 ICC-ranked players in batting and bowling respectively. They have matured and come of age as well. […] It will be a good mix and a good balance. Cricket is the same […] The approach should be different.
On how they see the series panning out
Anju Jain: It is going to be a good series. Last time [when they came to India last year], there were close games. West Indies teams have improved a lot […] I won’t comment on the numbers but definitely there will be some good matches, good competition there.
On whether playing in the West Indies would be good preparation for the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka
Anju Jain: The T20 World Cup is still a few months away. The West Indies playing conditions are more or less the same. Where the pitches are concerned, the bounce will be more which will be the only difference; otherwise the conditions are going to be the same. And yes, it’s going to be good preparation before the World Cup.
On the composition of the team and honing new players with an eye on the World Cup
Anju Jain: Like Anjum said, it’s a good combination, a good mix of experienced players and newcomers. We have indentified new areas where we need to work and have started working on them. It will be a good experience there.
On the focus of the pre-tour camp that was held here
Anju Jain: We have identified a few areas where we have been lacking, whether it’s in fielding or fitness […] We are working on it […] It will help in building the team.
On the spin attack
Anju Jain: It’s pretty good. Gouhar [Sultana] is an experienced player. Ekta Bist is coming in […] It’s a good combination of youth and experience.
