NEWS
Follow UsWhile India have put on spectacular displays with the bat, they have not been quite consistent as they would have liked to be in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup. Against both New Zealand and England, India’s frailties with the bat cost them big time, as they find themselves fourth on the points table in the global event.
Ahead of a crucial contest against World Cup-favourites Australia, Indian batter Veda Krishnamurthy called for the ‘batters’ to fire. She also called for Mithali Raj to fire in the clash against Australia, a contest that could be a do-or-die for India.
“We haven’t seen Mithali fire yet, it is very rare that she hasn’t stepped up in four games. Mithali needs to fire, she needs to hold that innings, which will allow India to control the game. We know that if she is batting, she will take it to the 50th over. Obviously, she has to fire and it is going to be tough against Australia,” Veda pointed in the exclusive chat with Cricket.com
“The day we have done with the bat, we have always won games. I feel our batting has to fire regardless of how good our bowling is on a particular day. You don’t put runs on board, you are going to struggle defending the total. You can’t expect to defend 150-200 in a World Cup. So, batting is very crucial for India heading into the final three games,” she added.
On the loss against England, the 29-year-old stated that India missed Mithali’s anchor in the middle of the innings, as India faltered to just 134 in that encounter. She insisted that while Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur remain key for aggression, Mithali’s influence in the middle can not be replicated.
“We got out for 134, if Mithali had stayed, we would have probably scraped to a 210, then people would talk about strike-rate. But eventually, she is at least getting the team to a target. She is definitely the anchor in the team. Smriti and Harmanpreet are the aggressor, they are always looking for the boundaries and how to construct their own innings. They are very crucial but Mithali is the anchor.”
The ever-young Jhulan Goswami show for India
Veda was of high praise for the 39-year-young Jhulan Goswami, applauding her record-breaking efforts during the ongoing ODI World Cup. The 29-year-old also insisted that it is Jhulan’s incredible work ethics that has brought her laurels as her career has progressed steadfast, ahead of her 200th ODI. 
“Jhulan is breaking records every day, she played her 200th game, she became the highest wicket-taker in Women’s ODI World Cup. She is someone who does not miss her training session, she is always in the ground. But that is the kind of character she is, she is absolute legend. Picking 250 wickets is incredible, there is only a couple of them. It is good to watch Jhulan and I am really happy for her.”
On the octane clash against Australia, Veda opined that Australia would go as favourites, considering how they have started this year’s competition. Not only have Australia won four games on the trot but they have also played near flawless cricket in the competition. Yet, the Indian batter insisted that there was a hope for India, considering their record against Meg Lanning’s Australian side.
“Australia are favourites, it would be very tough for India to win against them. India are the only squad that has given a competition to Australia, be it breaking the win streak or in the World Cup. In both the T20 World Cups, we beat them in the group stages, India are the only squad that has got them thinking. It is definitely not going to be easy.”
