Focus is on semis berth: India skipper Mithali Raj

Sri Lanka captain Shashikala Siriwardene (from left), India’s Mithali Raj, Isable Joyce of Ireland and Bangladesh skipper Jahanara Alam pose with the trophy. (Photo: R. Samuel )

With back-to-back series wins, the Indian women’s team are a confident lot as they head into the T20 World Cup.

Skipper Mithali Raj, keen to put on a good show at the prestigious tournament, has her sole focus on acquiring a semi-final berth. “We had a very successful T20 series against Australia and Sri Lanka. Getting into the World Cup, the team is very confident following the wins. With the kind of form the team is in right now, I’m confident of us qualifying for the semifinals. Having said that, it’s very important for us to take it match-by-match.

Speaking about their fielding, which has improved over time, Mithali said, “One of the big changes we have seen in the Australia series has been in the fielding department. It has progressed a lot and there has been a remarkable improvement in the way the girls have responded.

“We have carried that into the one-dayers as well against Sri Lanka. So I can assure you that you will see good fielding in the World Cup.”

Playing her fifth World Cup, Mithali along with Jhulan Goswami, bear the burden of the senior and experienced tag amongst a relatively younger bunch in this edition.