India’s performance in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE was deeply disappointing, with Harmanpreet Kaur’s team exiting in the first round. To discuss the team’s shortcomings and the future of Indian women’s cricket, we spoke exclusively with Hemlata Kala, a prominent name in the sport. With a career spanning seven Test matches, 78 ODIs, and one T20I, she also served as the Chief Selector for the Indian women’s cricket team from 2016 to 2020.
In this candid conversation, Hemlata shed light on where the team faltered, her tenure as Chief Selector, and who could potentially take over the captaincy after Harmanpreet Kaur.
On Test Cricket and Personal Career Highlights
Q: You played seven Tests with an impressive average of 50. Did you particularly enjoy Test cricket?
Hemlata: I enjoyed all formats equally, but I believe if T20 cricket existed back then, I might have been one of the best players and the most expensive pick in the WPL. My style of play suited the fast-paced format. In Tests, I got more opportunities to bat as the format allows for longer stays at the crease. For instance, I scored crucial centuries in tight matches against New Zealand and England, even batting alongside tail-enders like Jhulan Goswami, whose patience helped me immensely.
On Playing With Legends
Q: You’ve played alongside legends like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami and Neetu David. How was your experience?
Hemlata: It was amazing. I shared the field with Mithali, Jhulan and David in various teams, including Railways and Air India. Their dedication was unparalleled. Even after retirement, Neetu David’s bowling accuracy remains impeccable. Playing with such committed players was a privilege.
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On the 2017 World Cup journey
Q: The Indian team reached the final of the 2017 World Cup, what were the positives for you as a Chief Selector?
Hemlata: When I became Chief Selector in 2016, the team was ranked eighth. With inputs from Mithali, coach Atul Bedade and others, we built a stronger unit. A key decision was backing Smriti Mandhana during her ligament injury, as we believed in her potential. She recovered in time and helped us defeat England in the tournament opener. Though we fell short in the final, the journey showed our capability to compete at the highest level.
On India’s Current Challenges
Q: What do you think went wrong for Team India in the recent World Cup?
Hemlata: The primary issue is the lower-order batting. Since 2017, we’ve struggled to find consistent performances from our tail-enders. Players like Smriti and Harmanpreet can’t perform every day. When the top order fails, the lower order needs to step up, which hasn’t been happening. This balance is crucial for winning high-pressure games.
Leadership Beyond Harmanpreet Kaur
Q: There were rumours about Harmanpreet potentially stepping down as captain. Who do you see as her successor?
Hemlata: If Harmanpreet steps down, the natural choice is Smriti Mandhana, as she is the current vice-captain. However, leadership decisions rest with the BCCI and the selection committee.
Q: What about Jemimah Rodrigues as a captaincy candidate?
Hemlata: Jemimah is an exceptional player and a great team motivator. Her energy on the field, even when not scoring runs, adds immense value. She is a future asset to Indian cricket, though I can’t say if she should be captain. Her focus should be on consistent performance.
On the Growth of Women’s Cricket
Q: What are your thoughts on the WPL and other initiatives by the BCCI?
Hemlata: Jay Shah has done incredible work for women’s cricket. The WPL has provided a platform for players to showcase their talent alongside international stars. With more tournaments like the Challenger Trophy and 3-day cricket, the sport is progressing rapidly. I am confident we will win an ICC trophy soon.
Here’s the full interview:
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.