Harmanpreet Kaur-led India set for crucial World Cup Camp in Vizag
Harmanpreet Kaur-led India set for crucial World Cup Camp in Vizag

Harmanpreet Kaur-led India set for crucial World Cup Camp in Vizag

The Indian women’s cricket team will begin a week-long preparatory camp in Visakhapatnam from Monday, fine-tuning their skills ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup starting September 30.

Harmanpreet Kaur-led India set for crucial World Cup Camp in Vizag
Harmanpreet Kaur-led India set for crucial World Cup Camp in Vizag

All 15 members of the World Cup squad, along with six reserves, have been asked to report by August 24. Players currently touring Australia with the India ‘A’ team will join the camp directly in Vizag.

The ACA-VDCA Stadium has been selected for specific reasons. India will play two group-stage matches at the same ground, against South Africa on October 9 and defending champions Australia on October 12. The camp is designed to help the team get used to the pitch, outfield, and coastal weather, giving them an advantage in fixtures that could decide their progress.

The squad last played in Vizag in 2014, meaning most players will be training there for the first time. Simulated match conditions, including day-night sessions, are planned to ensure smooth adjustment once the World Cup begins.

Australia remains the benchmark in women’s cricket with seven World Cup titles, including their 2022 triumph. India have twice reached the final, in 2005 and 2017, but are yet to win the trophy. Facing Australia at the same venue makes this camp especially important for Harmanpreet Kaur and her team.

The camp will feature at least two practice matches under lights, allowing the coaches to assess combinations and match strategies. Fielding drills are expected to be a priority, along with situational awareness in high-pressure scenarios.

For bowlers, Vizag’s coastal conditions offer a chance to work on swing and control. Batters will focus on proper shot selection against the extra bounce movement that may appear under lights. The coaching staff is also likely to emphasise power-hitting in the middle overs and death bowling options, areas that have often made the difference in close contests.

Fitness and technical skills were the focus of the high-performance camp in Bengaluru earlier this month. The Vizag camp, in contrast, is geared towards condition-specific preparation and match simulations.

India’s build-up to the World Cup will also include a three-match ODI series against Australia beginning September 14, followed by warm-up fixtures against England (Sept 25) and New Zealand (Sept 27). Their tournament opener is against Sri Lanka on September 30 in Guwahati.

With seniors such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma forming the core, and young blood like Pratika Rawal and Kranti Gaud adding depth, the squad carries a blend of experience and fresh energy.

India’s performances over the past two decades, finalists in 2005 and 2017, semifinalists on several occasions, have shown promise without yielding silverware. The upcoming camp in Vizag is viewed as the last stage of preparation, bridging the gap between potential and performance.

For a team still chasing its first World Cup crown, training at the venue of two key matches is as much about strategy as it is about belief.

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