The Indian women’s cricket team made history on their recent tour of England by clinching both the T20I and ODI series. In an interview with Hindustan Times, former captain and cricketing legend Mithali Raj reflected on the team’s success and shared her thoughts on the upcoming series against Australia, as well as the ODI World Cup that India is set to host later this year.
Reflecting on the series wins, Mithali Raj said that victories in England are always valuable, regardless of whether the opposition fields its strongest side. She noted that the conditions demand adaptability, and the Indian team managed that aspect well. What stood out to her was the clarity in player roles and a noticeable improvement in fielding, areas that are often overlooked but are crucial in a long tournament. With the ODI World Cup approaching, she stressed the importance of building consistency and depth across all departments, adding that the tour showed promising signs in that direction.
Commenting on Shafali Verma’s role, Mithali Raj noted that while Shafali has the ability to change the course of a game within a few overs, what stood out recently was her improved ability to pace an innings. Raj pointed out that this is an area Shafali has been working on, learning to build an innings rather than relying solely on aggressive stroke play.
Regarding Pratika Rawal’s recent struggles, Raj emphasised that she is still in the early stages of her international career. She added that these formative experiences, even the challenging ones, are essential for a player’s development. Looking ahead to the Australia series, Raj said that Shafali’s experience will be crucial, especially if she continues to strike the right balance between playing with freedom and showing responsibility.
The former India captain described Harmanpreet Kaur’s return to form as excellent news for the Indian team. She highlighted Harmanpreet’s value not only as a batter but also as a leader who brings control and composure to the middle order. The century in the final ODI, Raj said, was both timely and well-paced, showing her ability to anchor an innings when it matters most. With the World Cup approaching, Raj stressed that Harmanpreet’s experience will be vital, particularly in pressure situations. Maintaining that level of consistency, she added, will be key to India’s success in the coming months.
Reflecting on Shree Charani’s performances during the England tour, Raj noted that her displays in both the T20Is and ODIs were particularly impressive. She praised Charani’s composure under pressure and her ability to adapt to different conditions, calling it a sign of her growing maturity as a cricketer. Raj added that the exposure Charani gained through the Women’s Premier League has clearly contributed to her progress.
Mithali Raj highlighted the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as a vital platform for discovering new talent and raising the overall standard of performance. Adding further, she said, “The WPL has been a huge step forward for India. It’s not just a platform for showcasing talent, it accelerates growth. When players share a dressing room with international stars, they learn more than just technique, how to prepare, handle pressure and think about the game tactically. It raises the overall standard, and that reflects in domestic and international performances.”
She acknowledged that fearlessness is an admirable quality but emphasised that it must be balanced with strong game awareness. She described India’s series win in England as a significant morale boost ahead of the home World Cup and the upcoming series against Australia. Raj noted that England fielded a side with a new captain and head coach, alongside several player rotations. Key players such as Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt were absent, leaving Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean as the only experienced bowlers.
According to Raj, the main difference between the two teams was fielding. India’s superior performance in crucial moments proved decisive. Looking ahead to Australia, she warned that fearlessness alone would not suffice. Australia’s strength lies in their ability to play hard, competitive cricket and maintain intensity until the final ball. Raj stressed that combining fearlessness with game awareness, preparation, and resilience under pressure will be vital. She added that if India can harness these qualities alongside home advantage and favourable conditions, they have a strong chance of beating Australia.
Mithali Raj acknowledged that pace bowling remains a challenging area for India, particularly due to injuries to senior fast bowlers. However, she welcomed the promising performances of Amanjot Kaur and Kranti Goud. Raj highlighted Kranti’s youth and pace, noting that her ability to consistently bowl between 114 and 116 km/h, combined with her clear intent, is an encouraging sign for the future.
Finally, when asked whether this could be India’s best chance to win their first World Cup, Mithali Raj said there is certainly an opportunity. She highlighted the strength of the current core and the advantage of playing at home, provided the team can handle the pressure.
Reflecting on the recent series, she noted how India stayed composed during key phases, such as the Sciver-Brunt and Lamb partnership, and later when Dean and Davidson-Richards mounted a counterattack. According to Raj, it is in these high-pressure moments that matches are won or lost at World Cups. If India can hold their nerve, trust their game, and use home conditions wisely, she believes they have a real chance of going all the way.
(Inputs sourced from Hindustan Times)
