India’s recurring challenge at global tournaments remains their struggle to handle pressure in crucial moments. Despite coming close to winning major titles — the 2017 ODI World Cup and 2020 T20 World Cup — India couldn’t cross the finish line due to nerves under high stakes.
The introduction of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) aimed to strengthen players’ mental resilience. However, even after three seasons, India continues to falter when victory is within reach. Recent collapses in Mumbai 2023, Perth 2024, Delhi 2025, and Indore 2025 highlight how the team still loses control during key chases. Their latest setback, a narrow four-run defeat against England, has left India battling hard for a semi-final spot in the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup.
Against top sides like Australia, India’s pattern of losing wickets in clusters remains unchanged. For instance, during the Perth ODI chase of 299, India stood at a strong 184/3, but a dramatic collapse ended their hopes. Similar scenarios unfolded in Mumbai and Delhi, where despite strong starts, India couldn’t sustain their momentum.
While technical skills and training facilities at the BCCI Centre of Excellence are world-class, pressure on the global stage is a different ballgame. The WPL, however, has produced promising talents such as Kranti Gaud and N Shree Charani, who have transitioned successfully from domestic cricket to the international stage. Their emergence shows how the league has expanded India’s talent pool and visibility for young players.
Still, India’s biggest hurdle remains mental toughness. Recent efforts to include sports psychologists like Mughda Bavare have helped, and players such as Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues have acknowledged the importance of training the mind to perform under stress.
Skill-wise, India competes closely with the best teams globally, but mental composure remains the final step toward becoming world champions. As they prepare for a crucial clash against New Zealand, India hopes that familiar conditions at DY Patil Stadium will finally help them overcome their biggest weakness — the pressure of expectation.
