After a good start to their World Cup, 2017 campaign, losses to South Africa and Australia have left India in a precarious position. They were outplayed by the Southern Stars and will face the White Ferns in a virtual knock-out match as they look to qualify for the semi-finals.
During their game against Australia, Punam Raut scored a century while skipper Mithali Raj posted 69 off 114 balls in an effort to lay a platform to set the opponents a target. En route her knock, she become the highest run-getter in Women’s ODIs and the first to reach 6000 runs.
Reflecting on her journey, Mithali said, “It has been quite a journey. When you have a long career, there are bound to be lots of ups and downs, but I have enjoyed batting, I always did and especially when the team requires me to stand up and get runs. (However) one thing that has always been constant is the burden that I have carried all through my career. Somewhere I feel that if I had few more batters to support me, maybe my game would have been much better than what it is or what it was.
“Even coming into the World Cup considering how the team has been performing in the last two years, I believe that it was the right time for me to elevate my own personal batting standards into the tournament but again it has come back to the same phase where me being in the middle gives a lot of confidence to the other batters and it keeps the dressing room more confident,” she added further.
“I have enjoyed my long career but also at the same time really have to introspect probably because of the responsibility I have not been able to enhance my batting as much as I would want to,” she stated.
After the 157-run stand between Raut and Mithali, India lost wickets in a heap and finished with 226 for seven. Meg Lanning then helped her team scale the 227-run target with ease. Reflecting on the loss, Mithali said, “They are a good side and they came with a plan. When I walked in, I took some time to get those runs initially and Punam Raut did tell me to stay there. I felt that she feels confident when I am around. If not for myself, at least for a batter who is scoring runs, I feel I need to be around. Also, for the fact that because of that partnership maybe we had few more runs in the end.
“Had we lost my wicket, whole responsibility would have been on the middle-order which has not been performing. I knew for a fact that I was taking a lot of time in the middle. I was feeling bad that I am taking so many balls to get those runs, but at the same time, that was what the team required me to do. Probably, as a batter, I wouldn’t have done that but I am happy the way the team has come back scoring 227 runs after losing Smriti (Mandhana) early,” she elaborated.
Discussing the team, Mithali said, “India has always had a problem in crunch matches. If it is a very crucial game, we have usually faltered in that match. That is something that the Indian players in general need to work on. As far as skill is concerned, I still believe that the girls are talented it is just a matter of how well they pull themselves up after a defeat is very important because that’s what makes World Champions,” she stated.
Speaking about the do-or-die game against New Zealand, she said, “It is a decider. It is important that team steps up. If we perform the way we did today, personally I would say that it is not enough against the New Zealand. Somewhere we really have to upgrade the way we batted, especially the bowling unit and the fielding department.”
Discussing the bowling attack, she said, “The bowling unit didn’t seem like they were effective or they were creating some opportunity. It didn’t seem like the wicket was on a slower side they (Australians) just got their shots going. I think the bowlers need to be a little bit more consistent in the areas that they plan to bowl more often the good balls there has to be more consistency in that.”
Stressing on the need to be more consistent, Mithali said that players need to work on personal preparation. With the availability of technology, oppositions have clearer plans than before, so she urged that players work on bettering themselves and countering the plans of opponents.
“Individual milestones are good and give you confidence, you feel nice, but at the end of the day it is a team game. If you don’t win matches nobody would want to be on a losing side and celebrate the milestones. I would say I am happy, (but) very little. I am quite disappointed over the result,” she said assessing the day.
