Former England wicketkeeper and current Gujarat Giants fielding coach Sarah Taylor believes the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has significantly advanced women’s Cricket in India, mainly in areas like power-hitting and match understanding.
“It’s scary how fast they’re improving”: Sarah Taylor on India’s new era
In a recent interview, Taylor pointed out how quickly the game has evolved in the past year. She noted that Indian women’s cricket is moving away from its traditional image of elegance, embracing power and physicality at an impressive rate.
“They’re on their way. It’s scary where the girls were last year and where they are now,” Taylor remarked. “The power in the domestic game is incredible. In five years, India will be absolutely flying.”
Taylor observed that even players who may not seem physically strong are now easily hitting sixes, a significant change from a few years ago.
One major development is the increased frequency of six-hitting in the domestic circuit. She mentioned that young Indian batters are no longer restricted by their physique when it comes to generating power.
“You have young girls who are small yet hitting sixes straight down the ground,” she explained. “That power simply wasn’t part of the game before.”
Taylor attributes this transformation to improved training, heightened confidence, and consistent exposure to high-standard competition, all thanks to the WPL.
WPL: A perfect launchpad for India’s global success
Taylor is confident the WPL has come at an ideal moment, especially with the Women’s T20 World Cup set for the UK later this year. She feels the league is getting Indian players ready for the challenges of high-pressure tournaments.
“They’re playing under lights, in tight matches, with some of the best players globally,” Taylor said. “They’re observing how top International players approach their game and picking up useful tips.”
She added that this experience means young Indian players will enter the World Cup with confidence rather than fear. “Going into the World Cup, these girls should have no problems. They’ve been there, done that.”
Young talent signals a bright future: Taylor
Taylor pointed out emerging talents as symbols of India’s bright future. She praised the eagerness to learn among young players, describing it as key to their rapid improvement.
“They want to learn, and that’s the most beautiful thing,” she said. “They’re only going to get better.”
According to Taylor, the mix of talent, exposure, and a growth mindset could establish India as a dominant force in women’s cricket in the coming years.
Sarah Taylor reflects on her early retirement from international cricket
In addition to discussing the WPL, Taylor reflected on her international career and clarified that her retirement from England’s team at 30 wasn’t solely due to mental health issues, as often believed. Instead, she cited clarity about selection and contracts as key factors.
“From a factual point of view, I knew, based on meetings, that I wasn’t going to be offered a contract,” she explained. “I didn’t particularly want that meeting, so it became a decision of saying, ‘Cool, I’m done then.’”
Taylor described her retirement as a logical conclusion to what she called a “wonderful career,” adding that the experience has influenced her approach as a coach.
