Former skipper Mithali Raj feels India’s probabilities of successful the Women’s T20 World Cup will rely largely on the highest order’s kind.
The legendary batter added that the Indian bowlers should present a marked enchancment in testing situations on the marquee occasion starting on Friday in South Africa.
“India’s chances will be largely dependent on the top order. Smriti Mandhana is playing well and is a match winner,” Mithali wrote in her column for the ICC.
“Harmanpreet Kaur has looked in good form too but we have to beat Australia and England you need others batters to come to the party.” The Indian group, which takes on Pakistan of their match opener on February 12 in Cape Town, have been enjoying in South Africa.
The Indian group, which not too long ago completed runners up in a Tri sequence towards hosts South Africa and West Indies, will probably be fielding a comparatively inexperienced tempo unit barring veteran Shikha Pandey.
“The bowling will be tested and that is where we need to see an improvement,” Mithali added.
The 40-year-old hopes the U19 World Cup-winning duo of Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh make use of the data that they’ve gained whereas enjoying the age group match on these situations.
“I hope Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh even have a great run on the World Cup contemplating they’ve gained a lot expertise of the situations in South Africa.
“I am excited about some of the young players coming through and there is definitely some talent in the Under-19s team which I had the chance to see play at the inaugural ICC Under-19s Women’s T20 World Cup.”
Australia favourites to win
Mithali opined defending champions Australia’s wonderful batting division make them favourites to win the occasion for an unprecedented sixth time.
“I feel everybody would agree that Australia are the favourites, and deservedly so. I’m anticipating, tight, aggressive matches.They are so troublesome to beat as a result of they bat deep and have a wonderful batting line-up.
“There should not many groups who can rival them when it comes to large hitters, and the actual fact they’ve quite a few gamers who can play the same position signifies that if one fails, others can step in.
However, Mithali feels India have a knack of manufacturing their greatest towards Australia.
“We noticed not too long ago that after they toured India though that was a really aggressive sequence however when it got here all the way down to it, most of the time, it was Australia who got here out on high.
“While Australia are undoubtedly favourites, we’ve seen India and England play a few of their greatest cricket within the knockout levels of tournaments so I’d not write them off.
“India also have the knack of bringing their best against Australia.”
WPL
The inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) will probably be performed this yr with the public sale slated to be held on February 13 in Mumbai.
Mithali, who made vital contributions in popularising the ladies’s sport throughout her 23-year lengthy superb profession, feels franchise cricket won’t solely assist the gamers turn out to be financially safe but additionally allow them to put money into their sport.
“What is nice at this second is that the ladies’s sport is consistently evolving. Where 140 was once a par rating in a T20, now you may see 160-180 plus chased down, and so many matches go all the way down to the wire.
“That change has come all the way down to the rise of leagues all around the world, with the WBBL in Australia, the Super League in England and naturally the Women’s Premier League in India which goes to start out this yr.
“Those platforms not solely give native gamers the possibility to work together with abroad stars, however in addition they provide higher monetary stability which permits them to put money into their very own video games, hiring private coaches or energy and conditioning coaches.
While Mithali, who retired final yr, won’t be enjoying within the league, she has been roped in as a mentor and advisor by Gujarat Giants.
“I’m not shocked in any respect that we’ve obtained so far, the Women’s Premier League in India is a big growth.
“While I can’t be enjoying, I will probably be lucky sufficient to function a mentor and advisor for the Gujarat Giants.
“There is not any disappointment about the truth that I missed out on enjoying in it, my journey as a cricketer was completely different and I used to be in a position to play my half within the evolution of the game.
She hopes the league will assist in participant growth.
“I am very happy to see women’s cricket get to where it is and excited to be part of the eco-system.” “I am really hoping that the WPL will also help with player development. We have seen at the Under-19 World Cup how much young talent there is around the world and how players are already benefiting from the number of televised matches and the chance to play alongside big names in domestic cricket.”
