The Indian women’s team is in the final phase of preparations ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. What better way to prepare for the mega event than a five-match ODI series against the host?
India has reached the finals of the most recent 50-over (England 2017) and 20-over (Australia 2020) World Cups but failed to cross over the finish line. In a column for the ICC, Raj discussed the heartache from the heart-breaking loss at the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup final and her side’s preparation ahead of this year’s mega event.
The strong Indian side was beaten by England in the final of the 2017 World Cup in front of a packed Lord’s stadium, Raj admits she’s still haunted by that loss.
She wrote,” I clearly remember the emotions from the final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2017, having come so close to winning,”
Raj has been at the helm of the Indian team in two out of the three ICC World Cup finals that India has reached going back to the 2005 World Cup in South Africa. Raj backs her team to claim the elusive World Cup title.
“We have shown that we are more than capable of winning the trophy, it is now just a case of doing it and the impact of doing so would be incredible.”
India is heading into the tournament having played New Zealand, Australia, and England in recent months. The Indian captain Mithali Raj believes the series against New Zealand has given the Indian team time to acclimatize to the seaming conditions. India put up a good fight against the defending champions England where they won one of the three ODI games. They ended Australia’s consecutive 26 one-day wins streak in September 2021.
Raj said, “Those results show what is possible if we come together as a team and believe in ourselves, and now, I am just excited to get out there and play.”
India will kick off their quest to claim the World Champions title on 6th March against arch-rivals Pakistan.
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This article is sourced from ICC’s Media Zone