The Challenger Trophy has served as ideal preparation for the Indian women's cricket team ahead of a tough series against New Zealand, fast bowler Jhulan Goswami believes.
The recently-concluded Challenger Trophy featured the nation’s best senior and junior cricketers in the three-team event. The match-practice gained is of significance, given that India last played an ODI nearly seven months ago.
“Our preparations have been bang on target. We just finished the Challenger Trophy, which is one of the best tournaments in India. All the best girls from the country took part. The competition was high; it was a quality series,” Jhulan said on Thursday. Her team plays the first of its five ODIs against New Zealand here on Sunday.
The 31-year-old added that this series gives India a chance to move up the world rankings.
The home team is currently at the bottom of the table, while New Zealand is one place higher. “We want to do well and rise up the rankings. New Zealand is a good side, but if we play well, we can beat them. Also, if we win the first three ODIs, the points earned will help us in our effort to qualify for the 2017 World Cup,” she said.
All-rounder Shikha Pandey stated that the side will keep a close eye on New Zealand's warm-up tie against India ‘A’, which will be held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Friday.
“We have not seen much of the New Zealand team. The only source of information has been some videos. They have a lot of youngsters making their debuts. We will have our plans in place after their warm-up match,” she said.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who led India Blue to the Challenger Trophy title, said she hopes to build on the fine form that she showed in the tournament.
India and New Zealand play all five ODIs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, before competing in a three-match Twenty20 series at the same venue.
India ODI squad: Mithali Raj (Captain), Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Poonam Raut, Shikha Pandey, M.D. Thirushkamini, R. Kalpana, Veda Krishnamurthy, Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ekta Bisht, Sneh Rana, Poonam Yadav and Niranjana Nagarajan.
