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Long break has given us time to recover, says captain Mithali Raj

After long hiatus post WC, Indian women team heads to SA for bilateral series

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India women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj at a practice session in Mumbai on Tuesday
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Indian women are all set to fly off to South Africa for an important bilateral series which comprises three ODIs and five T20Is.

However, there is no buzz. A team which delivered a special performance in the ICC Women’s World Cup, finishing as runner-up in July last year, ought to create excitement in their follow-up assignment.

As the team heads to the Rainbow Nation, the enthusiasm seems to be missing. Why? The blame can be put on the long gap between the team’s last international assignment — World Cup and their next series to be held in first week of February.

Some players played BCCI’s domestic tournaments, while a few of them went to Australia for the Women’s Big Bash League.

But isn’t the gap too big? Yes it is, and the Indian captain Mithali Raj, too, said so. “Long season after the world cup it was important for the girls, who had injuries, to recover. Ideally as players, (we) would have preferred to have continuation,” the captain said at the pre-departure press conference on Tuesday. 

“But when you have injuries in the side, you need to have time to recover,” she added.

Mithali, however, gave it a positive twist. “In a way it is good because players...all of them are fit. We have been playing domestic matches, we have had enough time to prepare for this series. It’s a beginning for us. Need to start afresh. Two other series are lined up after South Africa tour. It is always good to start the year on a fresh note,” she added.

The Indian team has been based in Mumbai for their preparatory camp ahead of the tour. The captain said her team has prepared well for it. 

“The girls have been in the match-mould playing domestic cricket. We have had a preparatory camp here and couple of them are coming from WBBL. The girls have worked really hard on their fitness level. I am sure if you look at them, they all look agile and fit,” she said.

Mithali said the tour of South Africa will be a test for players. “We have toured South Africa before, for the quadrangular series. Having said that, the South African team is also a very good side. 

“You have seen they have almost made it to the final of the World Cup. It is going to be very competitive cricket. It will also test each and every player and as a team also. It’s important the girls need to be confident,” she said.

The Indians would be playing a T20 series after a long gap. The last one was Asia Cup in December 2016 where they beat Pakistan in the final. Raj said the focus was then on ODIs now it will go back to the T20s since the World T20 is approaching.

“I think now (focus) is the preparation for T20 World Cup. Playing five T20 games in South Africa. It’s an ICC championship.  It’s been a while since we played in T20 format. We are looking forward to T20 games. We also need to work hard in this format.”

Mithali speaks

On talented youngster Jemimah Rodrigues

Jemimah is a young talented girl. She has scored a lot of runs in U-19 and senior. She is promising cricketer. As captain I want her to perform at the international level. She is one of the best fielders in team.

On team’s interaction with Sachin Tendulkar

Talking about the interaction with Sachin (Tendulkar), it was very important for the team as well as the players individually because we got to learn from his vast experience. He told us how he handled pressure, failure and things like that. It will benefit all the players to handle different situations in their career

Harmanpreet to lead T20 series

Star all-rounder Harmanpreet Singh was on Tuesday named captain of the Indian women’s cricket team for the five-match T20 series against South Africa in Potchefstroom from February 13. Smriti Mandhana has been named as the vice-captain. 

India Women’s T20I squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Mithali Raj, Veda Krishnamurthy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Anuja Patil, Taniya Bhatia (WK), Nuzhat Parveen (WK), Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav

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