Harmanpreet: India prepared for the challenge

India vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur revealed the team will focus on the Aussie pair Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry during the ODI series.

Published : Mar 11, 2018 21:24 IST

Indian women's cricket team's vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur and coach Tushar Arothe at the Reliance Cricket Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday.

 

Beating India in India is a difficult task for the women cricketers too, believes Matthew Mott.

The Australian coach, however, said his team has an attack that could do well in any conditions. “We have had some interesting battles with India in the past,” he said at the press meet here on Sunday. “India has been a strong side for quite some time. It is good that the country has woken up to see what women’s cricket can be. It is great that these players have become household names.”

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His Indian counterpart, Tushar Arothe said India definitely had the home advantage, but admitted that there was room for improvement too. “Our fielding has to be more consistent,” he said. “Our lower order has to get more runs too, though there have been enough runs often at the top.”

He added Jhulan Goswami’s absence would be felt. “She has been performing well all these years,” he said. “But we have faith in Shikha Pandey and Deepti Sharma.”

India’s vice captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who had smashed a brilliant 171 to help India shock Australia at the World Cup last year, said the team had prepared well for its strong rival. “We will focus mainly on Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry, but for us all players are equal.”

Lanning, who is returning after an injury, said the past few months were frustrating for her. “I am really looking forward to the series,” she said.