12 June,2026 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Shubhangi Kulkarni. Pic/Satej Shinde
Former Indian women's team captain Shubhangi Kulkarni insists that every member of Team India will have to shoulder their responsibilities if they are looking to win the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, beginning in Birmingham today.
"In the T20 format, every player has to contribute by playing their respective roles effectively and playing to their strengths. Richa [Ghosh], for example, is explosive as [scored 36-ball 68 vs England on Wednesday]. Jemimah [Rodrigues] can also bat responsibly.
We have seen that Harman [skipper Harmanpreet Kaur] is a big-match player. And I'm quite sure that Smriti [Mandhana] will look to do well too. But it can't be just a few players performing. All will have to come good. All will have to put in their best in batting, bowling, and fielding," Kulkarni, who represented the country in 19 Tests and 27 ODIs between 1976 and 1991, told mid-day over the phone from Pune on Thursday.
Kulkarni wants Harmanpreet Kaur & Co to recall their ODI World Cup triumph last November.
"They did it during the ODI World Cup win not too long ago. They played fearless cricket, gave their 200 per cent, backed each other. Now, they have to repeat all these things in England," said Kulkarni.
Speaking about the team's area of concern, Kulkarni said: "Our batters need to play less dot balls.
It's all about taking singles, doubles, and running those hard runs. Also, outside the Powerplay, during the middle overs, they need to rotate the strike well," Kulkarni signed off.
India begin their campaign-opener against Pakistan at Birmingham on Sunday.
