Former India opener WV Raman, who coached the India women’s team when they last reached an ICC event final (the 2020 T20 World Cup, where they faced a crushing defeat to Australia at the MCG before over 80,000 spectators), recently sat down with TOI. He discussed the team’s outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup 2025 campaign. Here are the key excerpts from his conversation:
There’s a common belief that the team you coached in 2020 was overwhelmed by the massive crowds. What significant changes have occurred since then?
It’s unproductive to link past events directly. The reality is that this team has played a tremendous amount of cricket since 2020. They’ve accumulated invaluable experience by consistently competing against top-tier teams. A significant factor is that approximately 70-80% of the squad from the 2020 T20 World Cup final is still actively playing. This continuity is extremely beneficial, allowing them to develop a strong understanding of each other’s play. It also simplifies things for captain Harmanpreet Kaur. This sustained core group is precisely why Australia’s women’s team remains so formidable; they consistently keep the same group of players for four to five years.
The team faced harsh criticism after losing three consecutive matches. What’s your take on that?
This is precisely what makes this campaign so significant. In India, there’s a tendency to focus on negatives. Even after losing three games, they still had an excellent chance to qualify for the semifinals. Yet, many were quick to dismiss their prospects.
By bouncing back so strongly, they’ve unequivocally proven that they are not easily defeated. I’ve always maintained that India is the only team capable of truly challenging the formidable Australians. It used to be a case of ‘so close, yet so far’ for them. This time, they managed to reverse that narrative.
When and how did the landscape for women’s cricket in India begin to shift for the better?
Before I took over as the women’s team coach, I was working at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) under the leadership of Rahul Dravid. During that period, a comprehensive range of programs was initiated. U-19 cricket received increased attention, as did ‘A’ tours for women. The NCA opened its doors to women cricketers from all corners of the country. Subsequently, the U-19 World Cup was introduced, followed by the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Suddenly, girls had far greater exposure. The talent pool expanded significantly, and players learned to navigate high-pressure situations more frequently.
How has the team’s overall approach evolved?
Previously, they were hindered by a lack of access to high-performance facilities and specialized training. Now, they play against top teams like Australia and England much more often, and that disparity has been largely eliminated. I recall that when I first became coach, the team lacked confidence in their T20 capabilities. However, after a year of intense high-performance training and competing in a high-profile tri-series in Australia leading up to the T20 World Cup, they eventually made it to the final.
You gave Jemimah Rodrigues a long run before she was dropped last year. How do you feel she turned her career around?
Sometimes, the most valuable lessons emerge from the most challenging experiences. True experience is forged by navigating diverse situations. Jemimah is a prime example of someone who refused to give up, leveraging her past experiences to transform her game. She was already a star when she first played for India, but with the pivotal innings she delivered in the semifinal, she has undoubtedly become a superstar.
Harmanpreet’s incredible 171* against Australia in the 2017 World Cup semifinal was a turning point. How much further will this recent campaign impact women’s cricket?
The discussion around pay parity shouldn’t be about guaranteeing output; it’s simply their fundamental right. However, many positive changes began to materialize after Harman’s memorable knock. More funding flowed into women’s cricket. The introduction of pay parity and the WPL has now empowered more girls to envision and pursue cricket as a viable career path. A great deal more will continue to evolve from this point forward. We can anticipate more international fixtures, as women’s cricket is undeniably the most effective vehicle for expanding the sport globally.