Senior India Women leg-spinner Poonam Yadav has on Tuesday (March 16) admitted that India’s spin attack hasn't been up to the mark in the ongoing five-match ODI series against South Africa Women.
Except Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who scalped five wickets in four ODIs, the Indian Women’s cricket team’s other spinners failed to make an impact in the ongoing series against South Africa, resulting in the tourists clinched the series 3-1 with the final ODI scheduled on March 17 in Lucknow.
Ahead of the final ODI on Wednesday, she revealed that India Women’s slow bowlers are working on bringing changes to their game going ahead against South Africa Women.
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Poonam Yadav said during a virtual pre-match press conference: “We beat South Africa in South Africa and also when they came here. But our spin attack hasn't been that successful now.”
The Arjun Award winner further added, “So, we talk about what we can work on in the practice sessions. We discuss that if the wicket isn't assisting then next what? When the wicket isn't helping what changes can we make, we are focussing on that.”
On her own performance as she failed to take a single wicket so far in the ODI series, Poonam said: “Being a senior player, the role I have in the team I haven't been able to fulfill in these matches but going ahead I will try and perform as per the needs of the team.”
She continued, “Because in T20 you can't go in for wickets you go to contain (the batter). I have added variations and the flipper, tried it in the match, but we are playing after a long time due to COVID-19. Maybe it will take a little more time for us to settle down. I need to work more on the flipper.”
However, the 29-year-old hopes the hosts will come up with a better show in the upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa starting on Saturday (March 20).
She continued, “In T20s we will try to do better. Maybe we weren't able to implement our plans in ODIs. But we are working on it and will improve in the matches ahead.”
India’s ODI captain Mithali Raj has used her deputy Harmanpreet Kaur with the ball several times in the ongoing series, but she also failed to make an impression but Poonam homes the T20 captain can help the hosts in the upcoming T20I series if she needs to bowl.
She signed off by saying, “We talk a little, she asks how her ball was because being on the field only a bowler can help the other. She has been working on her bowling and has done well. If she bowls in T20s it will help our team.”
(With PTI Inputs)
