New Delhi, Aug 28: Indian women’s ODI team captain Mithali Raj and coach Ramesh Powar on Saturday said the side is currently focussed on next year’s World Cup and the tour of Australia will serve as ideal preparation for the mega event.
The Indian team is leaving for Australia on Wednesday to play three ODIs, a day-night Test and three T20Is. “We need to understand that we are playing three ODIs first and we are focussing right now on the World Cup preparation,” Powar said during a pre-departure press conference, even as questions revolved around the Pink ball Test against Australia.
The Australia tour will begin with the ODIs series, starting with the first game at the North Sydney Oval on September 19, followed by the second and third matches at the Junction Oval on September 22 and 24 respectively. The women’s 50-over World Cup is slated to be held in New Zealand in March-April next year.
Skipper Mithali said, “We know the areas we needed to improve and we worked and addressed those issues during the preparatory camp in Bangalore.
“Whatever results are there in Australia we still have few months for the World Cup. Australia tour is good for us because we are playing against the best, we will also get an idea about the team combination before the World Cup. So Australia tour is a good game plan before the Word Cup.”
Seam bowlers Meghna and Renuka Singh Thakur were handed maiden India call-ups, while left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad returned to the teams for the upcoming contests against Australia.
Mithali acknowledged that the pink ball Test is going to be a challenge for the players.
Mithali, a seasoned campaigner with an experience of over two decades, said Australia continues to be one of the toughest tour. (PTI)
