Veda: ‘We can’t be complacent, need to focus against Bangladesh’

India’s impressive bowling display lit up the tournament-opener with leg-spinner Poonam Yadav playing a key role with four wickets to halt the Australia’s run chase.

Veda Krishnamurthy insisted that the top and middle order need to survive longer for India to perform better.

India’s middle-order batter Veda Krishnamurthy has warned her colleagues against complacency after their splendid win against Australia, saying they must stay focussed ahead of their clash against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup, here on Monday.

India’s impressive bowling display lit up the tournament-opener with leg-spinner Poonam Yadav playing a key role with four wickets to halt the defending champion’s run chase.

PREVIEW: Confident India to face plucky Bangladesh

Krishnamurthy does not want to see Indian players to let emotions get the better of them, insisting the top and middle order need to survive longer.

“We can’t be complacent with the victory (against Australia). We have to let go of those emotions now and focus on repeating all the good things we did,” Krishnamurthy said on the eve of the match.

“We can’t be complacent with the victory (against Australia). We have to let go of those emotions now and focus on repeating all the good things we did.” — Veda Krishnamurthy

India will need to improve its batting performance as it scored a below par 132 against Australia. Since the tri-series preceding this World Cup, the Indian batting has been inconsistent, struggling to post big totals.

“We want to make sure we have enough of a score for our bowlers to defend. At the same time, we can’t be too ambitious with our strokes or risk being run short but we need to make sure we get enough runs on board,” said the 27-year-old.

“As you all saw, our bowling attack is doing really well. It’s all about giving them that extra cushioning. If we had finished 15 runs shorter on Friday (against Australia), it would have been a lot more difficult for us.”

It could be a tricky match for India on Monday as Bangladesh had beaten them twice in the 2018 T20 Asia Cup -- in the group stage and in the final.

For Bangladesh, it will be aiming for an upset. Captain Salma Khatun urged her side not to dwell on India’s stunning opening victory and instead focus on getting its own performance right at the WACA.

“We are not worried about the result between India and Australia. We are just focused on our own. We have been watching the opening matches of the tournament with keen interest and we are really excited to get going in this one,” said Khatun.

“All our girls put their 100 per cent into the warm-up match against Pakistan and we hope to have a positive start at this World Cup.”