India women cricketers are not as athletic and strong as compared to other foreign women cricketers when it comes to running around the park and that is something fielding coach Abhay Sharma will work on extensively with them during the upcoming UK tour.

Sharma who was with the men’s U-19 team joined the women’s team for the first time during the home series in the recent home series against South Africa. Since the series was planned last minute, he did not get a lot of time with the players.

“Overall development is needed as far as fielding is concerned. The game is changing, you have to be more athletic. Technically, work needs to be done. What I observed is that a lot of girls are struggling with their throwing techniques,” he said.

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“If you develop wrong technique in your early days then it troubles you with injuries. Once the technical side is taken care of, then you can build on the strength part,” Sharma told PTI before entering the bio-bubble in Mumbai ahead of the UK tour.

According to the fielding coach, in the recent home series, the South African players looked much faster than the home team.

“This time I will interact with more on a one-to-one basis rather than group and assess what they feel about the game and then try and match up to my expectations. But as of now technically they really need to work hard,” the 52-year-old said.

The Indian team led by Harmanpreet Kaur will be touring to England for a one-off Test match followed three-match ODI series and as many match T20I series.

(With PTI inputs)