"We are getting to play in New Zealand before World Cup" - Mithali Raj

The skipper of the Indian women's cricket team Mithali Raj believes that India Women is all set to take part in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2022. India women faced off South African women in the five-match ODI series in 2021 in the home conditions.

After that, they went on to play against England and Australia on their soil. However, India lost all the three-match series against the opposition but they break the winning streak of consecutive Australia's 26 wins in ODIs but lost the series by 1-2.

As of now, the Indian women were all set to face New Zealand women for a five-match ODI series and notably, it will be their last series ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022. On Wednesday, Mithali Raj shared a few things about their journey after a partnership between the Indian Deaf Cricket Association and KFC.

"We have played three best teams since March and it has given us good preparation. We are getting to play in New Zealand before World Cup which is also good," Mithali Raj said.

"When you play against a strong team in its backyard you try to give your best. Though we lost the series [against Australia], the matches were very close. We scored 270 and chased 270 odd, if we can do that consistently we will be among the best sides in world cricket," Mithali Raj added.

There are times when the top order failed and the others performed: Mithali Raj

Moreover, the skipper of the side also stated that they are looking to improve in the middle-order after losing back to back series against England and Australia. "We bat as a unit so you can’t pinpoint one area.

There are times when the top order failed and the others performed. As a unit, if we look to post a good total then it will help. If we focus on one area like middle order then it becomes too much of a burden for that particular slot," she said. 

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Mithali Raj believes that a lot of change has been made after India finished the T20 World Cup 2017 as the runners-up. In that case, the ODI skipper claimed, "There were not enough expectations back then. Now in 2021 players have got experience and got a lot of exposure with the T20 leagues.

Overall we have young players but they have got enough exposure. It is just of matter of gelling well as a team. Every match will be different there. The quicker we read our opponents the better it will be for us."