India Women's Cricket Close To Historic ICC Trophy Win: Sneh Rana Optimistic

Rohit Sharma and Co's recent T20 World Cup victory has instilled belief in the Indian women's team, says spin-bowling all-rounder Sneh Rana. This triumph has boosted their confidence to pursue their first ICC trophy.

India is favoured to retain the title in the Women's Asia Cup starting on Friday in Sri Lanka. However, their real test will be the T20 World Cup in October and next year's ODI World Cup, which they will host.

Rana acknowledges that India has come close to winning several times but believes they have worked hard for global success. "The Indian women's cricket team, if you look at the past 2-3 years, they are doing their best," she told PTI.

"For (winning) the ICC trophy, let's take the men's (team's example), it took almost 10 years to get the trophy. They have been preparing and working hard for it for a long time," she added.

Fielding remains a concern, but Rana insists there's no lack of intent to improve. "When we play N number of matches, the chances of errors are more. But it doesn't mean that someone is bad at it," she said.

Rana made her debut in 2014 but had to wait over seven years for her first Test match. She now proudly looks back at having played three more Tests since then.

"I'm glad I got the opportunity. It had been a while, right? The scenario for Indian women's Test cricket is changing for good," she said. She credited players' fitness and endurance as key factors in their recent successes.

"You have to be on the field for four days; you need endurance for that. Fitness is very important and as a senior player, it's (even) more important because you have to be there all the time," said Rana.

The Impact of WPL

The Women's Premier League (WPL) has kept Indian players busier than before but offers long-term benefits. "Since WPL came, we have become a bit more busy. I think the busier, the better," Rana noted.

"Cricket has got more exposure since WPL came. The match exposure is always good for a player," she added. The versatility of WPL helps by sharing dressing rooms with overseas players and introducing new talent.

Personal Struggles

Despite her achievements, Rana faces challenges in securing her spot back in white-ball cricket after being dropped from the Asia Cup squad. "I won't lie. It was a little heartbreaking to be dropped from the team," she admitted.

"But at the same time, it has developed a hunger in me to rejoin the T20 format with my team or the 50-overs game. I'm eagerly waiting for the opportunity," she said.

Coaching Stability

Rana appreciates head coach Amol Muzumdar's longer tenure compared to his predecessors. "Longevity and consistency in the side definitely helps, be it in regards of coach or a player," she stated.

"He knows each and every player, their strengths... and how he can use that particular player in a match," Rana added.