Giving predictions in Indian cricket is fairly simple for fans, and just about anyone who follows the game. But to go against the tide and give predictions, which make sense in hindsight, is quite tough to pull off. Logic said, Team India had no chance against Australia in the semis of the Women’s World Cup recently, and that, 298 was not enough on Navi Mumbai wicket against South Africa.
India beat Australia, when no one expected
But former India women’s fielding coach, Biju George, who has been associated with the game in various capacities, made some bold predictions before the semis and the final, which now only increase the curiosity about his posts on social media.
“Mark my words… Australia will lose only one match in the Women’s World Cup — to India in the semifinals! India will win this tournament.”
In an interview with the Times of India, he opened up upon his predictions. “I wish betting was legal in India — I could’ve put some money, like 10–15 days back, and cleared off some of my debts,” he said. “I knew we were winning this tournament 150% because I saw the pattern. See, life is full of patterns, and as a coach, you look for patterns. I knew we would win. I said, ‘Australia — definitely we are going to win,’ and people were ridiculing me.”
‘This Cup is for India to Lose’
For the same match, he also advised the team to take a rest day before the semis, and also send Jemimah Rodrigues to bat at No. 3. And the result is front of everyone, with the 25-year-old scoring an epic 127.
“The next day, I wrote again that ‘This cup is for India to lose and South Africa to win.’ They didn’t understand the grammar — they thought I was predicting India would lose. The meaning was — only if India did something very stupid would we lose this. There was no way we were going to lose.”
George explained that there was a reason behind what he wrote. He saw the team evolve and come together as a unit. Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh too made his belief stronger. “It was belief in the team. I saw the team evolving, coming together. It was not a solo effort — it was a chorus, everybody getting together and contributing all around. India had this problem in finishing matches, but now with Deepti (Sharma) and Richa (Ghosh) doing really well, the tail end of the game was sorted out. So that made me 150% sure we were going to win this,” he said.
