The women's cricket team heads off to Australia for the World Cup, to set the record straight.
Four years ago, the Indian women’s cricket team lost to Australia in the last edition of the World Cup. Back then, they were in great form, the players were at their peak, and they surprised everyone with their effort. This time around, the story is a bit different. A poor showing in the last few series has left the team’s confidence shaken. But captain Jhulan Goswami is confident about a good showing.
“We are extremely disappointed that recent results haven’t gone our way, but the World Cup will be a different ball game and we hope to put in a good show,” she says.
India’s last two series were away to Australia and England, where the team failed to register a single victory. “We played way below our potential and things never clicked,” admits the skipper. The disastrous showing led to the sacking of star batter Mithali Raj as skipper, though she still remains a key player in the team.
The two main problem areas are the opening slots and fast bowling, according to Goswami. Three new faces have been added to the team to address the situation. “We have got Poonam Raut in, who is an opener, along with Harman Preet Kaur and Sravanthi Naidu, to give us more options.”
Veteran Anjum Chopra will be playing her fourth World Cup, and says that the squad looks extremely balanced but needs to play to its potential. “We have a good mix of players, and if they play to the best of their ability they can beat anyone in the world.” Chopra is hoping that her experience will help the younger players. “One needs to enjoy and not worry too much about the results,” she says. Probably the team is getting bogged down by the results not going their way. “There is pressure when results don’t go your way, but we just need to enjoy ourselves out there.”
The former captain is extremely proud about playing in her fourth consecutive World Cup. “I am delighted to have been playing for the country for so long and extremely proud of it,” says Delhi-based Chopra.
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The fortunes of the men’s Australian team are on the slide, but Goswami feels that the defending champions remain the favourites. “They are having an excellent time, and any team which wants to win the Cup will have to beat them,” she says, knowing only too well how formidable they are, after having lost badly to them. She feels that playing in Australia two months before the World Cup will be vital. “We are familiar with the wickets and the conditions, so it will be beneficial for sure,” she adds.
Goswami, who is considered one of the fastest bowlers around, will also be hoping that she is on top of her game. She is backing youngsters like Raut and Naidu to play without any fear. “They have been very impressive in domestic cricket and just need to grab this chance,” she says. Rumeli Dhar is another player who the captain is depending on to have a good tournament. “She is one of the finest all-rounders in the world, and a genuine match winner in our team,” explains Goswami. There are other youngsters, such as Sonel Pradhan and Gouher Sultana, who are good prospects. “They just need to be focussed and not be awed about playing in a World Cup,” says Chopra.
And, of course, there is Mithali Raj, who is considered India’s finest batter. She, however, is not too worried about her form. “I know the past two tours were disastrous, but I am confident that runs will come for me,” she says. The team will be banking on Raj to have a good tournament in Australia. “Hopefully, I won’t let down myself and the team, and score some runs,” she says.
The team is currently undergoing a preparatory camp in Mumbai and will fly out to Australia on March 1. They are aware that the tournament might not generate too much interest among the public. “We are used to that,” says Goswami. Any final thoughts on our chances? “All teams have an equal opportunity but we will give it our best shot and hopefully the results will follow,” she says.