Look forward to giving young players an opportunity against South Africa: Mithali Raj

As India embark on their first competitive series in a year, beginning with the first ODI against South Africa at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, skipper Mithali Raj in her pre-match press conference said that the management are certainly looking to give an opportunity to some of the young players in the side. “It’s a five-ODI series, we have some young players in the side. As a captain, I would like to give them opportunities to show their talent. So yes, we are definitely looking to give them opportunities in the five ODIs,” the India captain said.

India have not played in the 50-over format since they took on the West Indies in the Caribbean in November 2019. While it could be hard to return to the format after a long gap, Mithali is focused on taking it one game at a time.

“We are coming back to one-days after 15 months, could be hard. The team will first look forward to developing momentum. If it is a good batting track, we will look to get around 240-250 – we will be aiming at that. If we get a good start, maybe beyond. It will all depend on how we will take the first game, how the wicket behaves. The girls seem to be confident. We had some good sessions. I am looking at a very confident unit to take the field tomorrow," Mithali, the leading run-getter in women's ODIs said.

Talking about her preparations for the series, Mithali said: "It's been like how I prepare myself before any series. In terms of game time, we have not played many matches as such. But in terms of training, in terms of preparation at home or back in the academy, I have prepared myself like I train for any other international series. This is no different. We are coming back from a long gap. You have to be strong enough to put your best foot forward. I am looking forward to getting more runs. The last series against West Indies in 2019, I was in rhythm and I would like to continue in this series."

While Shafali Verma remained absent from the ODI squad, Mithali says that we will see her in action in the format soon, "She is definitely in the thick of things, she is on the radar. We need to have a little bit more patience and you’ll see her very soon."

South Africa have played more cricket than India in the last year or so. Most recently, they hosted Pakistan for an ODI and T20I series. Unfortunately for India, that has not been the case. Barring a few Women's T20 Challenge matches in the UAE in November 2020, they have not had the chance to play competitive cricket. But Mithali feels that it will not make much of a difference going into the series.

"They (South Africa) have had some game time. They played Pakistan before coming to India. We are playing after a gap. We have put in the efforts to train ourselves. It doesn’t look like we are rusty. The girls are excited to get on the field and put in our best performance. It’s time that we start our campaign for the World Cup and start to play some cricket," she said.

Mithali also feels that this series is crucial for the side, not just to begin the process of identifying the combination for next year's World Cup, but also for the players to get back into rhythm after a long gap: "We will see the composition of the team, but at the same time, the team as a unit start to get the momentum back. Everyone's coming back after a long gap. In that sense, this series is important for two reasons. One is that we have young players and it is the right platform to give them opportunities in home conditions and at the same time to see that the other players get enough game time to get out there and start to develop that rhythm. Also, as an unit, come together and put our best standard out there."

On the impact of WV Raman on the side, Mithali said, "Best part about him is that he is able to gel well with the senior players and as well as the young players in the side. He shares his experience as a coach and as a player. He gives a different perspective. He has been around young players, giving them confidence. He is also able to give a good base for the players in the side. He is able to give a positive environment in the dressing room and that is what we carry forward on to the field. If the players have that comfort level with the coach, that reflects on the performance on the field."

Exactly a year from today, India will play their first match in the 2022 Women's World Cup in New Zealand. The road to the mega event will kick start when they lock horns with a strong South Africa side on Sunday (March 7).