Self-belief kept Poonam confident of playing in T20 World Cup after finger injury in December

A finger fracture leaving her T20 World Cup participation in doubt, India leggie Poonam Yadav says self belief gave her the confidence of playing the showpiece and it showed in her demolition of Australia in the opening match here.

Injured during a pre-tournament camp in December, the canny leg-spinner missed the preparatory tri-series in Australia and her participation in the showpiece was thrown into doubt.

But the way she bamboozled Australia in the tournament opener, her absence may have been a blessing rather than a curse. Poonam took four wickets to help India win by 17 runs on Friday.

"I did not know myself it (injury) would turn out to be this bad. After the injury I focused on the diet and on fitness," she said.

"I was confident I could bowl at any time. (WV) Raman Sir (India head coach) asked if I was mentally ready. I told him mentally I was, but it was also necessary for me to be physically prepared," Poonam was quoted as saying by the ICC.

The 28-year-old bowler said she never lost hope of playing in the T20 World Cup.

"Within myself I had the belief I would make the comeback in time. The good thing is I got hurt about one-and-a-half months before the World Cup.

"God is great - whatever bad had to happen has already happened."