Women’s World Cup 2025: WPL has brought major shift in standards, says India Strength & Conditioning coach A.I. Harrsha

He has, in many ways, become something of a lucky mascot for Indian cricket. He was there when the Indian men’s team clinched gold at the Asian Games, during the Under-19 World Cup triumph, and now — in his very first stint with the Indian women’s team — he witnessed Harmanpreet Kaur’s side script history by lifting the nation’s maiden Women’s World Cup title.

For India’s women’s team Strength and Conditioning Coach, A.I. Harrsha, this triumph represents far more than just a championship win. To him, it marks a defining moment — not only for the team’s skill and spirit but also for the remarkable levels of athleticism, fitness, and resilience the players displayed throughout the tournament.

“It’s never easy to sustain such demanding workloads through a long World Cup campaign featuring nine games — and to maintain the same enthusiasm and intensity deep into the knockout stages,” Harrsha reflected in an exclusive conversation with Sportstar after returning to his hometown, Hyderabad.

A former Hyderabad Ranji Trophy cricketer, Harrsha brings a wealth of experience to the role — from his time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2018 and 2019), to serving the Indian men’s team on numerous tours, and working at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru since 2019.

“This World Cup triumph is the culmination of an all-round effort from every individual involved. The foundation was laid during an exceptional pre-World Cup camp organised by the BCCI at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and Visakhapatnam, which helped us clearly identify what needed to be done,” he explained.

That camp, he said, focused heavily on performance training — emphasising running mechanics, acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction, depending on each player’s testing results and movement patterns. “We didn’t borrow from any existing model,” he said.

“Women’s cricket has its own physiological demands, and workload management varies greatly from player to player. Our expertise allowed us to tailor programmes that suited each individual. Recovery, in particular, was given utmost importance. Not doing anything isn’t recovery — it requires diligence and specific work to recover efficiently and effectively,” Harrsha explained.

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Technology and data played a central role throughout the tournament. Every player’s training load was meticulously tracked — from data analysis and sleep monitoring to menstrual cycle mapping. “We monitored everything closely — from workloads to recovery rates — to make informed decisions. Each player’s needs were unique, and we never compared one to another. It was always about you versus you — the player’s current status compared to their previous self,” he added.

He credits the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for accelerating professionalism in women’s cricket.

“Just like the IPL transformed the men’s game, the WPL has brought a major shift in standards, exposure, and mindset,” he said.

Reflecting on the team’s resilience, Harrsha highlighted how the squad bounced back after three league-stage losses.

“That phase truly tested our grit and character. The way the players responded — rising stronger and going on to win the championship — was extraordinary. It spoke volumes about their hunger, discipline, and the collective effort of the entire cohort.”

Throughout the campaign, his message to the players remained simple yet powerful: “It’s never you versus someone else — it’s you versus you. The focus was always on becoming a better version of yourself every single day.”

Harrsha identified three non-negotiables for the team: clear objectives for every session, effective communication between players and coaches, and an excellence mindset — refusing to settle for mediocrity.

“The commitment levels were phenomenal. The players were open to learning, hungry to improve, and their work ethic was outstanding. When passion and discipline blend, results follow — and that’s exactly what happened,” he said.

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When asked about the defining moment of the campaign, Harrsha pointed to the semifinal victory against Australia.

“That win gave the team immense belief. The way they executed every plan and displayed unmatched energy in a high-pressure knockout game was unforgettable,” he recalled.

He was also quick to credit head coach Amol Muzumdar for his leadership and collaboration.

“He was fantastic. The bond and understanding we built within the support staff made all the difference. We worked hard, but we also enjoyed every moment together,” Harrsha said.

The triumph, he added, wouldn’t have been possible without the support of family.

“I’m deeply thankful to my wife, Udhvithaa, who managed everything back home with our children, Adhvik and Vinokha. Seeing them in the stands during the final was an exciting and unforgettable moment,” he shared.

Meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the victory was another memorable highlight.

“It was a two-hour interaction filled with warmth and positivity. He was incredibly open, engaging, and genuinely interested in hearing from everyone. It was a great experience,” Harrsha said.

For a man who has lived through the highs and lows of professional sport, this journey has been as humbling as it has been fulfilling.

“The more lows you experience, the more you value the highs,” Harrsha said with a smile. “This World Cup win will remain one of the most cherished moments of my career yet.”

Published on Nov 09, 2025