After the long fiasco with the former national team head coach Ramesh Powar since the semi-final of 2018 ICC Women’s World T20, the Indian women’s ODI captain Mithali Raj is now looking for the fresh start under the new national team head coach WV Raman in the New Year (2019).
As the three-match bilateral ODI series in the New Zealand tour will begin on 24 January, Mithali is ready to start the New Year in a fresh way. The ODI skipper has also made her return to the T20I squad of the tour.
Before leaving India for the New Zealand tour, Mithali told, “I think it’s a fresh start. Coming into the new year, this is the first series and yes we have moved on from that (controversy).”
Talking about their initial interaction with the new coaches, Mithali said, “When a coach comes in the national side, we as a team are very vocal and expressive as to what is required for the benefit of the team. The coach and the players will have to be on the same page, because that’s very important.”
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Though Mithali has never trained under WV Raman, she is confident on him and believes that the team will be growing up from here.
Mithali added, “And I am sure. I have not trained under him (Raman) but met him couple of time and if you seen his credential. He has played (at the highest level) and coached various teams at various levels.
“So he comes with that and there are no expectations as such when you have credentials like that, you are only positive that the coach will make big difference to the team, getting in to the year and to the series.”
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Mithali also credited all the coaches to create a challenging Indian women’s cricket team and feels that Raman’s knowledge will only benefit the team.
She said, “I honestly believe every coach like how very captain has a very different take, they get very different perspective to the table, so does the coach.
“The team what it is today, is because of all those various coaches, who trained the team in these years, the team has come so far and his (Raman) knowledge will only benefit the team to go further and above, to move forward.”
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Coming up to the upcoming ODI series in New Zealand, the ODI skipper Mithali has pointed out to bring back the team together and win the away series.
The ODI skipper said, “At this level, every player understands what it takes to reach this level and what it takes as a team to play, go on an overseas tour, aim to win the series and gain those (ICC ranking) points.
“So even though we (coach-captain) might have difference of opinions, but when it comes down to players, as a team, we sit and discuss.
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“Individual brilliance can win you matches but if you have to win the series, you need every member, every core member of your team to perform and that performance has to compliment the team’s goal. I believe I will be able to get the team together again and that is what we are going to work on.”
