We're Focusing Right Now On The World Cup Preparation - Ramesh Powar

India Women’s Cricket Team head coach Ramesh Powar has reinstated that the team will focus on the ODI series against Australia in order to prepare for the 2022 World Cup. There was a lot of news buzzing around the pink-ball one-off Test but the ODI’s will take precedence, for now, Powar said.

The women’s team has gathered in Bangalore for a 15-day conditioning camp following which, they will depart to Australia for the tour commencing on September 19. Ahead of the important series, Powar engaged in a chat with ESPNcricinfo on Saturday.

“See, we’ve got three ODIs first and then we’ve got a World Cup which is a very important tournament for us. We’re focusing right now on the World Cup preparation. If you see, it’s only a one-off Test match. I think it’s about confidence.”

“If we can carry our one-day confidence into the Test match — especially given the way we made a comeback in the last game [in England] without our star players getting their rhythm — I’m very happy and I’d say I am very confident that the pink-ball Test we don’t need to prepare extra for,” Powar was quoted as saying.

The women’s team fared very well against England in the one-off Test two months ago, and are equipped to take on the Aussies in their own backyard. However, Powar was wary of not putting too much pressure on the team based on each format.

“At the end of the day, it’s only a game between the bat and ball. We don’t want to put pressure on the team where we have to prepare differently for every format. We back our players in that particular format and they are good enough to react to situations. We did try to inculcate how we should approach every format,” he added.

Ramesh Powar hopes the bowlers step up to reduce Jhulan Goswami’s workload

Senior pacer Jhulan Goswami has been playing for India for more than 19 years now. She remains consistent but does need support from the other end. Ramesh Powar was hopeful the players can step up, especially since they’re all capable of doing so.

“See, we have to have support for Jhulan Goswami. She has been consistent over a period of time and we need to find her a partner who can bowl with her in partnerships so that we can get the results that we seek. Every player selected in this team has the skill set to do it.”

“As far as fast bowling is concerned, we’re looking for consistency at the other end so that Jhulan has the freedom to express herself. Because of the lack of bowling partnerships, she tends to get a little defensive which we don’t want as a team. And she will come out differently this time because we will give her that [support at the other end],” Ramesh Powar concluded.

The tour will kick off with the ODI’s, followed by the one-off Test from September 30- October 3, and then ends with the T20I’s.

Also Read – India-Australia Historic Women’s Pink Ball Test Venue Shifted Amid Worsening Covid-19 Situation