India Women's ODI skipper Mithali Raj on Saturday (March 6) made it clear that she would like to give youngsters every possible opportunity in the upcoming five-match ODI series against South Africa Women, as they are aiming to start their build-up for the ICC Women's World Cup in 2022.
Indian women’s team is all set to return to international cricket after almost one year when they will lock horns in the five-match ODI series against South Africa, beginning Sunday (March 7) followed by a three-match T20I series and Mithali said this series is very important for them to find the right combination for the World Cup 2022, as she is very keen to win the trophy before hanging her boots.
Mithali told ANI during a virtual press conference on Saturday: “Definitely, yes because it's a five-match ODI series and we have some young players in the side. As the captain, I would like to give them opportunities to show their talent and yes we are looking at giving the youngsters an opportunity in this five-match ODI series.”
She further noted, “This series is very important, we will see the composition of the team. Everybody is coming after a long gap, this series is very important as we have young players and it is the right platform to give them opportunities. It is also about ensuring that the core players get enough game time to develop that rhythm and take it from there.”
India’s newest batting star Shafali Verma was overlooked for the home ODIs against South Africa Women despite she having had some brilliant performances in the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia.
However, the India captain said, “she definitely is in the scheme of things, she is on the radar. We need to have a little bit of patience and we will see her very soon”.
As India Women will be returning to the international cricket action after such a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Mithali said of her team’s practice ahead of the ODI series: “As a professional athlete, it's important that we keep ourselves fit and find ways to be in training. We have had four good days of training sessions; we also had a session on the central wicket. The girls have been training in their respective places before joining the team as the domestic season is underway.”
The India captain further noted, “South Africa played against Pakistan before coming to India but then we are playing after a gap. Having said that, we have put in the efforts to train ourselves, we had a short camp and we have had four sessions here. It does not look like that we are rusty, girls are excited about putting in a good performance.”
About her own preparation for the South Africa series, Mithali said: “It's been like how I prepare myself before any series, it is no different. In terms of game time, we have not played any matches as such but in terms of training and preparation, I have prepared myself how I do before any series.”
She continued, “This is no different, a lot has gone into the methods as players are coming after a long gap. I am definitely looking forward to getting more runs, the last series against West Indies in 2019, I was in a rhythm and I would like to continue that.”
On Friday, March 5, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) announced that 10 percent of the crowd will be allowed at the stadium in Lucknow for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa.
Mithali signed off by saying: “It is always good to play in the stadiums where there are people who turn up to watch the match. You have supporters supporting the team. I am happy to see that there is a price on the tickets for people to come over. This probably is one way where women's cricket can sort of developing the revenue coming in. If we do well, the interest will develop, I am looking forward to people to turn up in the stadium and support the national women cricketers.”
India Women's ODI squad: Mithali Raj (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Punam Raut, Priya Punia, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-captain), D. Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Sushma Verma (wicket-keeper), Swetha Verma (wicket-keeper), Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi Joshi, Poonam Yadav, C. Prathyusha, Monica Patel.
(With ANI Inputs)
