"One in top-order has to bat through, too much importance given to strike rate"

The Indian Women's team lost the ODI series in Australia but stretched the hosts to the limit. The visitors were able to post 250 plus twice in three games and they are aiming for the same consistency in New Zealand. One of the glaring issues was the pace with which Mithali Raj batted in the series. When she was asked the same, the Indian ODI skipper stated that too much of importance is being given to the strike rate.

"Firstly, if we have to visit the 2017 World Cup where the team did well and put on a score of 250-270 is because there's at least one top-order bat who played through the innings and the rest of them revolved around that batter. So it's important that the top order, one of them, takes the responsibility of playing through the innings and there has to be a partnership or two of 50... that way we would be able to score 250-270," said the leading run-getter in women's cricket.

On the recurring question on the team's strike rate, Mithali responded firmly. "I think too much importance is given to strike rate by you all. It is always spoken when it comes to battling or putting up big totals. I just wanted to know if you all only follow the strike rates of the Indian players or the players from the other teams.

"...because in the Australia series itself, the game that Australia won, the decider, Beth Mooney scored her 50 in 80 odd balls, but she went on to play a match-winning innings for her team. So as for me, cricket is a game played on situations on the ground. And yes, it is important that we keep that in mind that we need to have a healthy strike rate. But having said that, we are not only entirely focussed on strike rate. Sometimes you have to play fast, but sometimes you have to play to get your team out of the hole too," she said.

Mithali led the team to the final in the last edition in 2017, giving a massive boost to women's cricket in India. Comparing that team and the current lot, the veteran batter said the 2022 batch has more exposure due to playing leagues in England and Australia.

"In those last four years, the standard in domestic cricket has improved massively. I've seen a lot many players scoring hundreds. Many girls have got an opportunity to play leagues abroad. So it does give a lot of exposure to many players. We also have more all-rounders. Earlier, we mainly relied on bilateral cricket," said the skipper who also expressed confidence in going all the way this time and winning the trophy," Raj added.

(With inputs from PTI)