India’s star batswoman Mithali Raj believes that her team has a far more settled line-up this time around for the T20 World Cup to be held in West Indies next month.
“We have not qualified for the knock-outs except in the first two editions. Given this record, it will be great if we can make the semifinals this time. Earlier, there were only two or three batters on whom we had to look up for big scores. Now, even if the top-order fails, we have batters like ’keeper Tania who can rise to the occasion,” said Mithali in chat with The Hindu on Sunday, before leaving for the National camp in Bengaluru.
“We hope to continue the momentum from the last ODI World Cup. Given the kind of fillip women’s cricket got after that showing in England, it will be great if can repeat and even better that showing,” said the veteran cricketer, who will be playing her fifth T20 World Cup, after being felicitated by mentors and coaches R.S.R. Murthy (SCR) and K. John Manoj of St. John’s Coaching Foundation.
“I am happy that I will be opening the innings in this World Cup though I am not really fond of this format.
“It is a different experience facing the new ball. My job is to ensure a good start and that would mean greater freedom at the top.
Shackled
“I feel shackled when batting at No. 3 in the ODIs, given the different kind of responsibilities,” said Mithali.
“It would have been great if the scheduled three T20s against West Indies were held before the World Cup, for that would have been the ideal preparations for any player before such a big event. But, fortunately, we are going early and playing some practice games. It should be okay,” she said to a query. “Australia continues to be the best team with a long line-up.
“New Zealand, against whom India has not played much, has quite a few big hitters and it will be interesting to see how the bowlers negotiate that,” she said when asked about the other teams.
Interesting match
“The match against Pakistan will be good and interesting, for obvious reasons, and then we have Ireland.
“It is imperative for us to be consistent right through,” she concluded.
