New Delhi, July 26
Deprived of much-needed game time with the cancellation of England tour, senior India spinner Poonam Yadav reckons it could be extremely difficult for the World Cup-bound players to turn up and “instantly” deliver after the long coronavirus-forced break.The Indian women’s cricket teams’ proposed tour, the only major assignment before the next year’s ICC World Cup, was called off earlier this week due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”If you turn up at the ground after four-five months, it will be very difficult to perform instantly for all players,” said Poonam.”But we are keeping ourselves fit and when we are allowed to resume group training, we should be back to full fitness in 20-25 days,” she said.Poonam has not seen a proper cricketing facility since turning up at the iconic MCG for the T20 World Cup final in March and with the only scheduled series before the next year’s ODI World Cup cancelled, she may not get to play an international game for the rest of the year.
The fate of the 2021 World Cup, scheduled in New Zealand in February-March, could be decided within the next two weeks.Last edition’s runners-up India are hoping to end their ICC title drought in New Zealand but Poonam said it would be a massive challenge considering the uncertain situation they find themselves in following the cancellation of England tour.”It is a massive challenge. I have been bowling here but it is totally different in a competitive environment. We last played in March and there is still no clarity over our next series,” said the senior India player, who has featured in one Test, 46 ODIs and 67 T20s.Not knowing when the next game is unsettling for most athletes but Poonam, who was India’s highest wicket-taker in the mega event in Australia, chooses to see the bright side.The “lockdown life” has allowed her to spend some quality time with family in Agra and do things that a hectic cricketing schedule did not allow her to do. She can cook now and even ride a Bullet (motorcycle), something she could not do earlier for the fear of getting injured.”There are many things I have done in this phase that otherwise I didn’t have time for. Spending time with family, watching TV (mainly Mahabharat and Ramayan),” she said.
