Indian skipper Mithali Raj stressed the need to be ‘more consistent’ in the areas the team has been working on over the past 12 months, in addition to talking about the extent of improving his own club forward. the ODI World Cup in March-April.
To cap off the “best possible preparation” for the World Cup in the midst of the Covid era, India will play a five-game series against hosts New Zealand, starting February 11.
The World Cup will kick off in the same country from March 4.
India introduced a lot of new faces to England and Australia. The likes of Sneh Rana, who made a successful return to the squad, Meghna Singh, Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh were judged in these two series.
Top notch hitter Yastika, wicket hitter Richa and playmaker Meghna made their ODI Down Under debuts and they all made an impact.
Although India lost the three-game 1-2 streak, they managed to push the mighty Australians to the limit.
Speaking to PTI in Vijaywada where she trains, Mithali recalled the positives of both tours and what her team needs to do in New Zealand.
“We’re definitely going to be looking to correct our combinations for the World Cup (in ODI against New Zealand) and try a few lineups and also get a little more consistent in things that worked for us last year,” said the captain. after being named Jacob’s Creek Brand Ambassador
India needed more firepower in the middle and lower order, which was provided by Ghosh and Pooja, while uncapped swing bowlers Meghna and Renuka Singh were a welcome addition to the rhythm department.
“The lower middle order has helped in Australia and we would like it to be a bit more consistent. And it definitely showed that they have the potential to contribute and that all-rounders like Pooja and Sneh Rana have done well in England and Australia, ”said Mithali.
She added, “Richa has definitely shown that she has the strength and caliber to kind of get big in the last few editions that we actually wanted someone like that. She gives us a batting advantage while Taniya (Bhatia) has a better glove job – it’s good to have a good competition for places and we have a 5 game streak to try out the combinations.
“The seamers of course (did well) but a little more work is needed in the rotation department, but that’s a lot of experience we have,” added the top cricketer at 50.
India have managed to score over 250 consistently in Australia with the help of the lower order and Mithali believes that the lower order contribution becomes even more crucial against the top teams.
“That’s what I wanted to say in terms of being more consistent in these areas because that’s what will be crucial in the World Cup when you play good teams,” she said.
“Yes, the first order absolutely has to be efficient. But more often than not you see the matches that are close, you need those few lower order leads. That was a big takeaway from the Australian series.
Forerunners Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma will have to play a big role if India is to do well in the World Cup while Mithali is expected to accumulate on the big runs in the middle order.
The veteran has recorded four scores over 50 points in the six games in England and Australia, but her hitting rate, especially early in the innings, has become a topic of discussion.
Mithali said this is an area she has been working on since the Australia series in September.
“There are always areas that as a player you feel you need to work, no matter how many years you’ve been at this level. Because there are always teams and bowlers trying to come up with strategies and you have to counter that. This is the essence of international cricket, ”said Mithali.
“There are a few things that I have seen (from my sleeves) in England in Australia that I can really work on. I tend to sort of cut down on the innings that I play in the first leg, the middle leg and how I can speed up at the end. And I saw where I could have done better or what kind of bowlers I can actually attack.
Mithali, however, insisted on playing with his strengths and not watching what works for teams like England and Australia.
“Well, yes definitely (the constant need to change). The standard continues to rise in women’s cricket. A lot of times people tend to compare themselves to other teams, but I would say that as an Indian team we have our own strengths, ”she said.
“If we can stick with that and be more consistent in playing with our strengths and at the same time working on things that require a little more growth as a team, then there is more room for progress rather than comparing ourselves. and trying to sort of fit into things where we don’t have those kind of players yet.
Women’s cricket in India got a big blow in the arm when the team reached the 2017 final in England. Aiming to go the full distance this time around, Mithali said his team couldn’t have prepared better for the mega event.
Of his plans after the World Cup, Mithali, 39, said: “Let’s focus on the World Cup, the next two months are going to be crucial.”
The team recently organized a weeklong camp in Dehradun to create a “team bond”. Some activities were also organized to develop the leadership skills of young players.
