Indian women set for New Zealand

Direct World Cup entry is primary target, says Mithali Raj

On a mission: Mithali Raj and W.V. Raman will helm the Indian team’s New Zealand visit after a gap of 12 years.

After going through an upheaval following India’s exit from the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies and some rancour coming to the fore between India’s seniormost player Mithali Raj on one side and Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and former coach Ramesh Powar on the other, the Indian women’s team is all set to embark on a tour of New Zealand for the first time in 12 years.

India captain Mithali Raj, who is set to complete 200 ODIs during the tour, touched upon the need to earn a direct entry into the 2020-21 World Cup and also summed up the recent events that vitiated the atmosphere in the dressing room, at a press conference here on Sunday.

Team profile

Asked whether the controversy had affected the profile of the team, she said: “The profile of a sport depends on how the players and the team perform. It (the unpleasant incidents) definitely did affect women’s cricket in a not so good way.

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High standards

 

“But we are getting an opportunity to perform and let people talk about the team’s performance that will only enhance the profile of the sport.”

On whether she had thought of quitting and her future plans, Mithali hinted she may not be around for the 2020-21 World Cup.

“I did not think of quitting, because whatever happened, it happened off the field. I don’t know where I will be two or three months from now. I don’t know whether I will be part of the 2020-21 World Cup.

“My focus will be on the immediate series against New Zealand. I cannot predict or comment about my future. I have never planned throughout my career, it’s always been with the flow.”

In the last two years Purnima Rau, Tushar Arothe and Powar have been the coach. The fourth now is W.V. Raman.

On Raman

“When a coach comes in, we as a team are very vocal and expressive as to what is required, what will benefit the team. The coach and the players have to be on the same page.

“I have not trained under him (Raman), but I have met him a couple of times,” she said. “He has played and coached teams at various levels; he has the experience and the expertise.”

The schedule: ODIs: Jan. 24 (Napier), Jan. 29 (Mount Maunganui); Feb. 1 (Hamilton). T20s: Feb. 6 (Wellington), Feb. 8 (Auckland), Feb. 10 (Hamilton).