Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj | File Photo
Newly appointed ODI captain Harampreet Kaur says that since Mithali Raj Now that he has retired, and the captaincy of both the formats comes under one captain, things will be a lot easier for him and the team.
I have been leading the T20 team for a long time and now this time I am getting a chance to captain the ODI team as well. I think things will be easy because when there were two different captains, sometimes things were not easy. After all, we both had different views. Now, it is easier for me to tell them what I am expecting from them and things will become much easier for me and my teammates as well.
She further added that this is a great opportunity for her to build a good team as Mithali Raj has retired from all forms of the game and veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami is not traveling to the island nation.
For me this is a good opportunity where you can make a good team because Sri Lanka, I don’t think it will be an easy tour for us.
He stressed on giving opportunities to the young players.
In the fielding department as well, we will give opportunities to young players who can bowl 10 overs and look for success. We are trying to do small things, where we have worked in the (NCA) camp and we have a vision, so we will see that (in terms of implementation).
If we talk about our bowling unit, they are getting the responsibility at the moment and this tour will be a perfect platform for them to perform where they can take charge and bowl full quota.
Talking about Raj’s absence, Kaur quipped that no one can fill her place.
Well, as we all know, she (Mithali) has done very well for women’s cricket and I don’t think anyone can fill that niche. If you talk about Mithali Di, I don’t think there is anyone who can replace her and we will always remember her in our dressing rooms and in the work she has done so far.
India will play three ODIs and as many T20Is during their tour of the island nation starting June 23.
(Inputs PTI)