India's bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi addressed concerns over wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh's fitness on Saturday, offering cautious optimism ahead of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 semifinals. Ghosh skipped the team's optional training session after sustaining a finger injury while keeping wickets during Thursday's match against New Zealand. With India set to face Bangladesh in their final league fixture on Sunday and a semifinal berth confirmed for October 30, Salvi emphasised proactive management by the strength and conditioning (S&C) team. "She is fine, and the S&C team is taking care of it. They are still discussing, so I don't have the exact updates about it, but she looks fine," Salvi told reporters post-session. This careful monitoring reflects the tournament's gruelling schedule, spanning over a month with eight league games and playoffs, where player durability is paramount for a squad aiming to reclaim the title last won in 1982.
The injury occurred mid-game against New Zealand, forcing Ghosh to briefly leave the field, with Uma Chetry stepping in as substitute keeper. Saturday's light session saw skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana present but resting, while active participants included Chetry, all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, and Harleen Deol—the latter three yet to feature in the tournament. Salvi highlighted the premeditated workload strategy, planned months in advance to navigate the event's demands.
"Since we entered into the World Cup, we already knew that it was a very long tournament, and the workloads were planned accordingly," he explained. This approach has been crucial amid a mixed campaign, where India suffered three consecutive losses earlier but rebounded with victories over Sri Lanka and New Zealand to secure a top-four finish and a semifinal clash, likely against Australia or England.
Beyond fitness, Salvi turned attention to bowling enhancements, acknowledging "executional errors" in powerplays and middle overs that plagued early defeats. He praised the attack's potential despite its youth, noting improvements in death bowling—the "slogs"—and adaptations to pervasive dew factors across venues. "The dew is also not helping at times; the ball becomes wet, but no excuses," Salvi said, detailing rigorous net sessions transitioning from dry to wet balls to build muscle memory. Standout performer Deepti Sharma, with 14 wickets in six matches, exemplifies the progress; Salvi credited her refined stock delivery for added "zip" and sharper variations, underscoring her all-round reliability. "She is a champion player. Every time India needs a performance, Deepti has always raised her hands," he lauded, pointing to her consistent contributions in the pre-tournament series.
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As India fine-tunes for the knockout phase, Salvi's updates signal resilience amid challenges. The team, under Kaur's leadership, has shown flashes of dominance—boasting the tournament's second-highest run rate at 5.42—yet must iron out inconsistencies to challenge favourites like Australia, the defending champions. Ghosh's potential return bolsters a lineup already rich in depth, with Mandhana's elegant strokeplay and Deepti's versatility as cornerstones.
Hosted across UAE venues, the World Cup marks a pivotal moment for women's cricket in India, building on the sport's surging popularity post the 2023 T20 success. With global viewership expected to surpass previous editions, Salvi's focus on holistic preparation—fitness, skills, and mindset—positions India not just to compete but to inspire a new generation of athletes in the sport's evolving landscape.
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