Women's T20 World Cup 2023: "India Has Been Very Scratchy In Batting And Bowling" - Former Indian Captain Mithali Raj

Indian Women’s Cricket Team hasn’t been able to assert its dominance over opposition teams in the T20 WC 2023. The Women in Blue are considered to be one of the favourites for the championship whereas last time in the 2020 T20 WC, they were completely outplayed by the Aussies in the final.

India’s defeat against England has raised questions about the team’s dynamics. The Women in Blue weren’t able to chase down the target of 152 as they lost the match by 11 runs. India’s next match is against Ireland on 20th February where Ireland almost defeated West Indies and India should not take them lightly.

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Mithali Raj on the Indian Women’s Cricket Team

Mithali Raj was speaking on the 100% Cricket Podcast and highlighted the points that cost India the match against England.

“The over that India lost Smriti Mandhana, that point was so crucial because she was building a partnership with Richa Ghosh. Until she was there, there were hopes that India could end up winning this game, but it was a tall ask from the lower-middle order of India to chase down the total,” said Mithali Raj.

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“England were expensive in the Powerplay, but when it came to the middle overs and the death overs, they were disciplined. They dried up the runs of the opposition, and got those wickets in the last few overs. Ecclestone – the No.1 T20 bowler – she showed why she’s the best in this format, getting Harmanpreet Kaur in her very first over,” she added.

Mithali Raj on Semi-Final clash

Mithali Raj stressed that the team can’t afford to be complacent as most likely they will clash with Australia.

“They have to put up the best performance in the semis. Because it’s a knockout and you’re up against the world’s best, you have to be very good in all three departments. So far, India has been very scratchy in the batting, and equally scratchy in the bowling. Fielding, in patches, they’ve done well,” said Mithali Raj.

“If you have to beat a side like Australia, you clearly have to put up a target, and nothing less than 160 on the board. The Indian team depend highly on the spinners, and so far it’s only the Deepti Sharma that’s delivering the goods. When you have players like Renuka Thakur, Shikha Pandey, Deepti, you need support from the other bowlers even to defend a target that you put up,” she added.

Also Read: NZ vs ENG: “England’s Greatest Challenge Will Be Away In India” – Nasser Hussain Warns England

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