Indian Batting Lineup Is Deep Now, It Will Definitely Put England On Back Foot In Limited-Overs Series, Says Mithali Raj

India women’s Test and ODI captain Mithali Raj opines that the hosts England are now pushed on the back foot – metaphorically – after not being able to bowl India out on the final day of their Test match in Bristol, where Test debutants Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia put on an unbeaten 104-run partnership to save the game.

“Psychologically I think it’s a big boost and will definitely put England on back foot because they know that even though the main batters have not performed, the lower middle order stood up,” Mithali Raj said at the post-match virtual conference.

“The Indian batting lineup is deep now and it’s not just the top-order. The lower middle-order also can bat and put in match-winning partnerships. I think that’s a great way to start a series where you know from a situation where we were literally looking at a Test match loss, and from there we’ve come to a draw, that clearly shows that the girls are not ready to give up and they are ready to fight,” she added.

Team in a positive mental state moving into the Pink Ball Test: Mithali Raj

India will tour Australia later in the year. Sandwiched between the ODI and T20I series, is the historic, maiden Pink-ball Test between the two sides, currently scheduled for September 30 in Perth.

Mithali Raj says that brilliant show in the recently drawn Test versus England, despite playing without any major preparation, has put the players in a positive mental state, and are confident of taking on Australia on the Day-Night Test match.

“These girls have shown even with lack of practice with the red ball and the longer format, they stood up and performed. I think confidence is what we will be carrying into the next Tests. I know it’s a pink ball Test but preparation will be equally important.

“Having said that, the mental space that these young girls are in after today’s performance will have a very positive impact, moving into a longer format for the coming Pink Ball Test,” the 3-year-old veteran batsman stated.

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