Harmanpreet Kaur, India's captain, has revealed that Troy Cooley, who was appointed as fast-bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru in November 2021, is currently with the women's team ahead of their T20I tri-series against hosts South Africa and West Indies, which begins on Thursday.
Harmanpreet had admitted that he missed the services of a bowling coach during the 4-1 T20I series defeat to Australia at home in December 2022, as Ramesh Powar was transferred to the NCA as a spin-bowling coach and Hrishikesh Kanitkar was appointed as the side's batting coach. It also means that India's women's cricket team currently lacks a head coach.
"Troy has decided to join us. We've already worked with him whenever we go to NCA, and almost every bowler is familiar with him. They know how he works and everything. So he's already on the team, and we're collaborating with him.
"He is sharing his knowledge with all of our bowlers. We had a couple of sessions with him where he gave bowlers tips. "I think he's working really hard, and hopefully we'll see the results," she said ahead of the tri-series opener against South Africa.
Harmanpreet also confirmed that fast-bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar, who missed the series against Australia due to injury, has been hard at work in the nets with the team, and a decision on her inclusion in the playing eleven will be made after consulting with the team physiotherapist.
"She (Pooja Vastrakar) is with us and doing fantastically well in the nets. Only the physio can make the final call. However, I can see that she is batting and bowling well. We just need to talk to the physio before finalising the starting lineup."
"We'll have to see what kind of workload we can manage after she missed the Australia series due to injury. But she's doing everything in every department, and she's a vital member of the team, so we need to talk about her workload."
Shikha Pandey, who last played for India in October 2021, is also in the squad for the Women's T20 World Cup, which will be held in South Africa from February 10-26. Shikha had 11 wickets in the senior women's T20 competition at a 4.28 economy rate.
"Well, as you know she is a very experienced bowler, so we wanted her back in the side. Another reason was we are playing in South Africa, and South Africa is a place that is more friendly to the pacers. So we wanted to strengthen our medium pacers lineup."
"You have seen us playing with more spinners, but now we are in South Africa, we need more pace bowling options and that was the reason we brought her back. And she has done really well in the domestic season, plus her experience too is there."
"She is someone who can swing the ball in the -. She is experienced to bowl in the death overs also. Now we have had a couple of practice sessions, and we have given her different types of scenarios where she can go and execute herself."
"And the game plan... we will discuss which areas she is more comfortable to go about because, after a long time, she is going to play. Let's see how she will adapt to the situation and approach her game," elaborated Harmanpreet on the reasons behind Shikha's return to the national set-up.
With Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh unavailable due to their participation in the U19 Women's T20 World Cup in Benoni and Potchefstroom, India must see who fills in for them in the tri-series, and Harmanpreet insists options are available.
"S Meghana is also there, Yastika Bhatia is also a very good option for us. I believe we will sit down and talk. Everyone appears to be in good form, and whoever is batting in the nets is doing exceptionally well."
"We have to take a call, whoever is going to open with Smriti as Shafali is not there. I'm relieved that we have several options. You need that type of competition as a captain, where you have to think really hard to pick a XI.
The tri-series is crucial preparation for India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign, which begins on February 12 against Pakistan in Cape Town. In the 2020 edition of the tournament, India would be the runner-up after Australia won the trophy at home.
"We want to play our natural game, we don't want to try something new. South Africa is a country where you have good tracks to bat on, and it also helps the bowlers. We just want to enjoy our cricket."
"We had a very good series against Australia (at home), though we did not win, there were lots of positives we achieved as a team. We want to keep doing the good work. Ahead of the World Cup, this series is very important to get the rhythm back," concluded Harmanpreet.