India Women are set to take on defending champions, Australia Women in the semi-final of ICC Women’s World Cup, 2017. While speaking to the media ahead of the game, India captain, Mithali Raj said that the team carry the confidence of beating the White Ferns in the knock-out game into the semi-finals.
Discussing the turnaround for India after losses to Australia and South Africa, Mithali said, “The team looks far more confident today than before. When we start the World Cups after a couple of defeats, we normally don’t tend to comeback into the tournament again but seeing the team respond to that challenge against New Zealand was heart-warming. I am sure the team will put in a better performance tomorrow. In fact, they should be able to do far better than what we did against New Zealand.”
“Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy have scored runs so that is a positive thing for us (after) playing New Zealand. In the top four-five, we now have three-four batters who are amongst runs, so it won’t be like I would be kind of shackled. Probably, I would play better tomorrow, because now I am confident that I have batters coming after me who are amongst runs and have the ability to take the team along,” she mentioned.
Speaking about India’s opponents, she said, “Obviously Australia are a very good side, they are defending champions. (To beat a) team that has been doing very well, requires us to do more than what we have been playing so far. Even in the game against New Zealand the team has been spot on (in executing) the plans that we had. But against Australia we need to be the best that we can. If you have to replace the No 1 side you have to be more than them to be there,” she remarked.
While discussing the opposition she further added, “We did beat Australia in Australia in a one odd game. It could be that one odd game tomorrow that we are looking at.”
The two teams will face-off in Derby where India has played most of their league matches. Asked if they will have some sort of an advantage, Mithali said, “We know the wicket conditions and we know the out-field, but again it is how the team responds to the situations on that given day; and how the opposition will perform is what we will consider. Having home advantage is good but it is a small factor playing against the best side.”
Asked if the underdog tag helps while playing against the favourites, the captain replied affirmatively and added, “Our first aim was to play the semi-finals and we have done well in a match that was crucial for us. This team is capable of putting up the best performance. It is just a matter of playing as a unit and not burdening yourself with the occasion. But if the girls play to their potential there is higher possibility of getting us into the finals.”
Mithali, who has played a World Cup semi-final earlier too, said, “I think its way back in 2005 but I think it is just not me but there are other players in the side who are capable of playing the main role when required. It can only give me more confidence, to play or probably play with more freedom now knowing the fact that there are players who can turn things around.
“I am also in that same frame of mind that if the girls really perform the way that they are capable off, it could be the same result that was there in 2005. The opposition is different but there is more possibility,” she mentioned.
Looking forward to the final which has thousands of tickets sold out she said, “I would love to be part of that atmosphere and it tempts me but I also realise that tomorrow is the game that can actually get us there and it gets me back into now that we have Australia to play.”
