Improving fielding and fitness should be our top priority: Mithali Raj

“The build-up to 2017 World Cup was good. From 2016 onwards we were mostly doing well, playing as a unit. This time we did not make it to the knockouts because we were not able to bring our best in all three departments. Our batting was inconsistent so was our bowling but the biggest improvement we need is in our fielding and fitness.” Said Mithali Raj in an interview.

On being asked about how should India take the World Cup debacle going forward, Mithali replied “We have to start the rebuilding processes right away. Players have to be identified giving them enough opportunities and exposure so they are well nurtured before the next World Cup. Fitness should be a priority. There should be system for constantly improving the benchmark in fitness and fielding. The start of Women’s IPL next year should increase the talent pool. Rubbing shoulders with international players in the WIPL will give the domestic players lot of confidence. We have only to look at the kind of talent pool men’s IPL has generated for the Indian team.”

When asked “Do you think having a woman coach at the helm could benefit India?” Mithali said,

“There are qualified women coaches at the state level. BCCI has also given women coaches a platform through Senior Challenger Trophy and Women’s T20 Challengers. National Cricket Academy (NCA) also recently conducted a Level 2 course for former international women players. Some of them are quite good and have good understanding of the game and women players. Definitely adding them to the India coaching staff will help the team.”