India skipper Mithali Raj has supported the inclusion of teen sensation Shafali Verma in all three formats and said it would be crucial to get back to winning ways on the UK tour after losing to South Africa at home.
During the UK tour, Indian women’s team will play a four-day Test, three ODIs and three T20Is from June 16 to July 15.
“Having her in three formats definitely is a plus. And we definitely are looking forward to see how she shapes up (in both the formats),” Mithali, who leads the Test and ODI sides, told PTI in an exclusive chat.
Shafali is among the young blood infused into the set up with the other 17-year-old being Richa Ghosh.
Mithali highlighted the importance of giving young players space so that they can flourish.
“Sharing experience is one thing but allowing the player to do their best, giving them the platform to flourish and gain that knowledge is also equally important.
“You need to give them that space to grow, but at the same time, be around if they have a fall, that is where I think the senior players step in.
“When a young talent falters, you’re there to hold them. But it is a journey and they need to find their own feet sometimes,” she remarked.
After a lengthy COVID-19 hiatus, the Women in Blue played South Africa at home and ended up losing both the ODI and T20I series.
With tours of England, Australia and New Zealand scheduled before the 2023 ODI World Cup, Mithali said it is important they find some momentum in the UK.
“There is no better preparation for World Cup than playing with the best and that is England, Australia, New Zealand.
“We do have certain areas that we want to work on. We are desperately looking forward trying our combinations before the main event.
“The first thing is to returning to winning ways because last series was not great for us. Once you start winning, it takes the team to a different level to sort of get the girls and everybody performing and in a positive frame of mind.”
(With PTI inputs)
