NEW DELHI: With the Women’s ODI World Cup set to return to Indian soil after over 12 years, former captain Anjum Chopra believes the tournament co-hosts led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, are well-positioned to be serious contenders for winning the trophy - provided they stick to the basics and execute their planning with precision.
In an exclusive wide-ranging interview with IANS, Anjum reflects on India’s prospects of winning the competition, her assessment of the current squad, and shares her thoughts on who would pose a stern challenge to the side in the competition. Excerpts:
Q. How do you gauge the buzz around the Women’s ODI World Cup returning to India after 12 years?
A. If you're saying that there is excitement, then I'm happy to hear that because obviously, it just sets you up - even if you're not a player – like as a broadcaster or as someone who's been around the sport.
I think it just sets you up as well, as thinking is that there's a mega event which is happening or going to start, and people are looking for avenues to be a part of that mega event and so yes, it's always nice.
When we as a nation are a host of such a massive event, obviously the excitement increases, so as the interest increasing towards the women's game - then that's good news. I hope this becomes a very good, successful tournament for the world to have a good view of the women's game as well, and also turns out to be a good, successful tournament for India.
Q. How optimistic are you about India’s chances of lifting the trophy this time?
A. Whenever we've entered a tournament like this, whether as a player or well-wisher of the team, you always go with the hope that you will lift the trophy. You don't enter a tournament thinking that we are just mere participants.
In this World Cup also, my thought and feeling is that if India can do the basics appropriately and planning that they have done as a team and implement it as well, then I'm sure they'll be on the right path.
It won't be an easy pathway because every team is a good one. But at the end of the day, against every opposition, you just need one good day. If India can have that one good day throughout the tournament, that 10-day tournament that they'll be playing, then I'm sure the result will be a good one.