‘I found U-19 team much fitter than seniors’- Former India captain slams Indian women’s team after losing semi-final against Australia

India women’s team lost to Australia by 5 runs in the semi-final of the women’s 20-20 World Cup 2023 on Friday. Defeating India in semi-final 1, Australia made it into the third straight final of the World Cup. They will face South Africa in the final on Sunday at Cape Town. Meanwhile, former India captain Diana Edulji slammed India Women’s team for their performance and fitness levels.

Edulji believes that India’s U-19 stars performed far better in their successful U-19 20-20 World Cup campaign than the seniors did in South Africa and that most of them will struggle if the ‘Yo Yo’ test is made essential in women’s cricket.

Edulji, who was a member of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee that managed the Indian Cricket Board for 33 months, was outraged by India’s fielding performance in the 20-20 World Cup semifinal in Cape Town on Thursday.

Speaking with PTI, Edulji told that the team’s poor fielding and rushing between the wickets may be attributed to a lack of fitness. She also thought skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was being too careless on the second run, which resulted in a game-changing runout.

“Most will fail the yo-yo test. I found the U-19 team much fitter than the seniors. They didn’t choke in the final. From 2017 to 2023 it is the same old story for the senior team. The Board must have a proper assessment of players’ fitness. I know the yo-yo test is a bit tough for women. Out of 15, 12 will fail that test but you have different criteria for them for acceptable fitness standards,” said Edulji.

‘Board should appoint proper support staff for the team’, says Edulji

Diana Edulji, further, slammed the Indian Cricket Board for not having proper support staff for women’s teams. She also said that Board should not encourage star culture.

“Every time you lose a winning game, it is a habit. Board has to take a strong call and not give in to the demands of the players.

“Have a proper strategy for the future. We have had enough of this star culture. It is not going to work like this,” said Edulji.