Amol Muzumdar, head coach of the India women’s team, has set the tone for his period as the squad prepares to welcome England for three T20Is and one Test.

“Fielding and fitness are of highest priority,” Muzumdar said on Tuesday (October 5). “We need to play a certain brand of cricket, which we have been known for. Fearless cricket is something I’ve always advocated.”

“Goals have already been set. We already had some [fitness] test done when we were at the NCA in Bengaluru. [The parameters] are already in place and we follow it very rigorously and religiously moving forward. There will be three tests in the season, that is already being followed,” Muzumdar added.

Muzumdar also believes that young players coming through the ranks will be given opportunities as India prepares for next year’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

“More exposure, fitness and fielding will be my top priority. The fringe players – the new generation coming through – will get equal opportunities. These are the prime things that we will take forward after this series,” Muzumdar said.

Muzumdar begins his tenure as India’s head coach in Wankhede, where he has spent the majority of his domestic career. Muzumdar was overjoyed at the opportunity, but hoped not to get complacent.

“Coming back to Wankhede, I am starting a new role at the home ground,” he said. “I have played all my cricket since childhood here. [It is] great to start the series here at Wankhede. [We are] familiar with the conditions but cannot be complacent as every game has its own challenges.”

“We have decided to leave the statistics and whatever has happened behind us,” Muzumdar said of India’s poor record against England in T20Is. “We are looking forward to a fresh start. The numbers are there to be seen, but these girls and the team are looking forward to the season ahead. We are not going to go back in history — of course it is important — but at the same time, it is also important to look forward to the season ahead.”

The T20I series begins on December 6, with the next two games taking place on December 9 and 10. The one-time Test will commence on December 14.