It’s all too familiar. It’s different cities, Mumbai in 2023, Perth in 2024, Indore in 2025. The names change, not the denouement. The Indian women get there near enough to smell victory, but, when it counts, squander it. Their four-run defeat by England in Indore might be the latest entry in a well-worn tale.
It’s not a skill issue. Smriti Mandhana’s hundreds, Jemimah Rodrigues’ flair and Deepti Sharma’s resilience show you they have the talent, which is world class. What is the problem? For that is it the same as it was in the heartbreaks of 2017 and 2020, which is a problem with between the ears and not in the nets. The crammed course given by the Women’s Premier League in the pressure cooker of big stage cricket has still made no difference to India’s mental block, which continues to operate as the invisible enemy they cannot overcome.
When Collapse Becomes a Habit, Not a Fluke
There’s a difference between losing and unravelling. India’s chases in recent years, from the 299 target in Perth to the 259 in Mumbai, have followed the same grim rhythm: build momentum, lose a set batter, then crumble like a pack of biscuits. Seven wickets for 26 runs in Perth. Four for 25 in Mumbai. Three for 15 in Delhi. Different venues, same meltdown.
The cricketing world calls this “handling pressure.” In reality, it’s about decision paralysis, the inability to adapt when the script changes. Australia, India’s nemesis in three of those four matches, didn’t outskill them; they simply out-thought them in the clutch overs.
The WPL: India’s Pressure Lab in Progress
Here’s the good news the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is quietly reshaping India’s mental steel. Playing under floodlights, in front of roaring crowds and live cameras, is a different kind of education. Players like Kranti Gaud and N. Shree Charani are living proof of that evolution.
A year ago, they weren’t even in the national conversation. Now, thanks to WPL exposure, they’ve not only earned World Cup caps but have handled the spotlight like seasoned pros. The WPL doesn’t just create stars; it creates survivors, players who learn how to breathe in chaos.
Still, conditioning and composure are cousins, not twins. Learning to perform for a franchise is one thing; doing it with a billion eyes watching in blue is another.
Experience: The Only Currency That Buys Calm
India’s domestic system is rich in volume, not in volume of pressure. Hundreds of matches are played every year, but few replicate the suffocating air of a World Cup chase. That’s why the presence of sports psychologists like Mughda Bavare has been crucial.
Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and even youngsters like Pratika Rawal have spoken openly about how mental training is reshaping their understanding of pressure. “You can train your mind too,” Rodrigues said recently — a statement that hints at the shift from talent-driven cricket to thought-driven cricket.
But here’s the catch, mental strength isn’t built overnight or in a classroom. It’s built from scars, not sessions. And India’s wounds, though painful, might just be what forges the next generation’s nerve.
Key Takeaway
India’s women don’t need new skills, they need to trust the ones they already have when it matters most.
FAQs
- Why does India’s women’s team struggle in run chases?
Because pressure management, not skill.
- How has the WPL changed India’s mindset?
It’s exposed players to real-world pressure, helping them grow mentally tougher and more game-aware.
- What’s the next step for India’s women?
Translate WPL composure into World Cup calm. The talent is ready, the temperament needs catching up.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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