'Aggressive approach which is what we want to have throughout' - Coach Charlotte Edwards on MI's intent ahead of WPL 2025
"The wonderful thing about youth is they'll come in and be aggressive," Edwards said.
Former champions of the Women's Premier League (WPL), Mumbai Indians (MI), are looking forward to adopting an aggressive approach in all game departments as they prepare for the 2025 season. Head coach Charlotte Edwards has mentioned that the team wants to be fearless in their quest for a second title in three seasons, especially with the tournament set to conclude in front of their home crowd.
With a clear intent to build a strong and flexible squad, MI made key signings during the WPL 2025 auction, acquiring wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini and allrounders Nadine de Klerk, Akshita Maheshwari, and Sanskriti Gupta. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur had described them as exciting talent, with de Klerk being the only international name among them. MI has already begun preparations with nearly a week's training in Navi Mumbai, focusing on their Indian players.
"Every player that comes into MI hopefully knows what's expected of them. But equally [important is] that aggressive approach which is what we want to have throughout when we bat, bowl or field - and that's something we tried to put across most of the players. But equally, have that clarity about what our strengths are," Edwards said at a press conference in Mumbai as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Under Edwards, MI has developed a reputation for playing entertaining cricket, something the coach wants to continue in the upcoming edition of the WPL, starting from February 14.
"Every player, we just want them to be fearless, and obviously, most of all, have lots of fun. That's what makes me and obviously Jhulan [Goswami, bowling coach and mentor] very happy is when they've got smiles on their faces and they can impact games like the way they have done. I thought we played some fantastic cricket last year, and that's all we can ask [for]. Things that we really set here is that we want people turning on the TV and watching the Mumbai Indians playing, and we certainly did that last time - we had some entertaining games of cricket." she added.
MI's aggressive approach was visible in WPL 2024, notably in their chase of 191 against Gujarat Giants, thanks to Harmanpreet's 95 off 48 balls. However, they narrowly missed out on a spot in the final, falling five runs short in the Eliminator against eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
"We missed out by the narrowest of margins last year, which was disappointing. But we played the way we wanted to play, and this year, it's just pure excitement for it. That we can keep building this team, to keep improving and hopefully get back to the winning ways, and get back to CCI (the Brabourne) and be in another final this year," Edwards further added.
Best thing about WPL is its going to different places in our country: Jhulan Goswami
This season, MI has a young squad, with nine players under the age of 25, including 16-year-old Kamalini, a member of India’s victorious Under-19 World Cup campaign. Edwards emphasized the importance of putting a smart aggressive approach.
"The wonderful thing about youth is they'll come in, and they will be aggressive. So now it's for us to just teach somehow to play T20 cricket, and it's not all about hitting sixes. And that's our job now to instil that within the players, but never take away this aggressive approach that we want to just build on their wonderful talent," the coach said.
The WPL 2025 will be played across four cities, Vadodara, Lucknow, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. With the final two league games and knockouts scheduled to be hosted in Mumbai. Bowling coach Jhulan Goswami pointed out the significance of WPL’s expansion to new venues.
"One of the best things about WPL is it's now going in different places in our country, and it will impact local young girls, [and] budding cricketers - to motivate them, encourage them. And that is the ultimate motto of WPL - to go to different venues and expand women's cricket, particularly in our country," the former pacer said.
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