Important to show some intent in the first 10 overs: Powar

Ramesh Powar, the Indian women's cricket team's head coach, wants the senior players to take more responsibility after India were hammered by New Zealand in their second group-stage encounter of the ongoing World Cup. The Indian top-order failed to fire once again as the Mithali Raj-led side could only manage 50 runs off 20 overs while chasing 261. They eventually lost the game by 62 runs.

"I think it was one of those days where things didn't go our way and honestly I was also surprised the way we batted 20 overs. And if you look back (at the) last six games, which we have played against New Zealand, we were executing our plans well," Powar said at the virtual pre-match conference on the eve of India's next game against West Indies.

Powar said the team has been given ample opportunities to practice in the lead up to the tournament and it is now time to deliver. "I want seniors to be putting their hand up, like Mithali (Raj), Smriti (Mandhana), Jhulan (Goswami), and win us the games single-handedly, because their participation and contributions in the win will brush off on the younger players.

"I think it is the pressure of the World Cup but I don't want to give any excuses. This is the right time to put your hand up and put up the performances. We have been training for last six months, we have been to England, Australia, we have been to New Zealand early, so we have got every practice opportunity which was needed, so it is time as a group to stand up and deliver."

The former India offspinner also urged the top five batters in the side to be more consistent. "Going forward, I expect her (Harmanpreet Kaur) to be consistent and I expect everyone from the top five to be consistent."

India next meet an in-form West Indies side, who have already upset defending champions England and hosts New Zealand in their opening two matches. The coach stressed on the need to show intent in the first 10 overs. However, the likes of Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar have done well down the order.

"Going forward it is important to show some intent when you bat in the first 10 overs. Rana and Pooja are part of team India and we have been working hard on each and every player be it pure batter or the all-rounder. These things will happen when the top three-four will struggle (and) the bottom three will perform it is a team game, where someone has to cover for someone, everyone will not perform every game.

"And if you look around this World Cup, chasing is not easy but it was a good wicket to chase upon and we have messed up in the first 20 overs where I was expecting momentum and intent."

Vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur is back amongst runs after enduring a rough patch and Powar is confident the right-hander is cable of winning matches single-handedly. "If someone is out of form, that player is getting into form, I am happy. I was never disappointed when she was out of form, because I know what kind of player she is, I have coached her in 2018 and I know her capabilities, she can win you games single-handedly."

He also feels that the team has benefitted immensely from the presence of psychologist Mughda Bavare. Mithali and Harmanpreet have already spoken about how Bavare has helped them turn things around during difficult phases. Powar cited the example of how Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana pulled the team out of trouble in their tournament lung-opener against Pakistan, which India won.

"If you remember how we used to react to collapses, I think the way Pooja and Rana addressed that collapse, it is a part of mindset (and) that's what she works on. And moving forward, I hope it will help us getting the right results and the mindset.

"I think as a head coach, I wanted that help because it is a high-pressure tournament, and looking at our history, I wanted players to be at ease, when they play this kind of high-pressure tournament and she has been with us from England.

Bavare is the first psychologist to travel with the Indian women's team on a tour. Bavare is a former national-level swimmer and was engaged for the Indian men's and women's wrestling teams, boxers and track and field athletes ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

She has also been associated with the Mumbai Cricket Association besides working with ace archer Deepika Kumari in the past.

(With inputs from PTI)