Looking dapper in a dark blue India T-shirt, Indian women’s captain Mithali Raj, speaking at a press conference ahead of the team’s departure for a three-match T20 and ODI series, felt that the limited-over contest against Australia will be crucial in the overall context of the team’s chances at the forthcoming T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup in 2017. “It is important because even though we won the last series against New Zealand, we lost out on vital points. So, this tour is very important in terms of the points system. We are looking to qualify for the 2017 World Cup...and that requires us to be in the top-four. In that regard, these one-dayers in Australia will be equally important.”
Having last played a series in 2009, India will carry a relatively young team to Australia this time, with the exception of Mithali and Jhulan Goswami. “The last time an Indian team toured Down Under was in 2009 for the World Cup; even though we don’t have experienced players who have played in Australia, this team has been around for about two years. So, it will be an interesting and tough tour, but I think the girls will acclimatise to the conditions soon,” Mithali said.
The recently-crowned BCCI women’s player of the year feels the bouncy wickets will not matter much and that the forthcoming T20 series will certainly help by being a rehearsal for the World T20. “Since the last two-three years, wherever we have played, especially in T20s, it has predominantly been batting-friendly wickets. So, I don’t think it matters much. Australian wickets have a lot of bounce. But it should be good enough for the girls to get some exposure before the T20 World Cup. To be able to play the current world champions in their backyard will help us to read their game as well as analyse were we stand in the format.”
IPL has changed art of battingOn the topic of having a women’s T20 tournament, on similar lines to the IPL and the popular Big Bash League, coach Purnima Rau said the women’s game too needs to become a little bolder, and that she would encourage the girls to have a hit against the Aussies. “Looking at T20 and the IPL, it has completely changed the art of batting. Women’s cricket also has to sell. They have to entertain the crowds. Players need to manufacture shots to get a lot of runs and make the game more exciting. When compared to ODIs, the girls enjoy the T20 format more, where they can play unhindered cricket. But, it will take some time...this T20 World Cup will have a lot significance on where we can go next. I think its high time we win it. We have reached a phase where we have to simply win this and take off from there. I always tell my players to play their natural game; I want them to play beyond themselves during this Australian tour — even if it comes at the cost of losing a game. Because, its not about winning or losing; its about how u enjoy the game,” she signed off.
