Indian women's ODI captain Mithali Raj today admitted that not having a bench-strength of desired quality is a reality and it will take at least two more years before the next crop of international standard players emerge.
The Indian women's team were soundly thrashed 0-3 by their Australian counterparts but the more worrying aspect has been lack of replacements for a lot of non-performers.
The India A team which played a few warm-up games against Australia A and now England A have been wallopped in most of the matches, raising serious questions about reserve bench. Save Jemimah Rodrigues, no top quality talent has emerged from the women's game with most players having been around for 3-4 years now.
"We have just started with India A tours and formation of an A team, since last year, after we came back from the World Cup. It will take sometime. It will take a couple of years to get our second string in place," the straight-talking Mithali put things as it is currently in the women's game.
She believes that international exposure will make them better
"In South Africa, the team has done well and it was altogether a different situation when we toured South Africa."