India’s success in T20 WC depends on top order: Mithali Raj

Former Indian skipper and batter Mithali Raj said on Sunday that India’s success in the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is largely dependent on its top order and also hoped that Under-19 World Cup winners Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh, who already have experience of playing in SA’s conditions, have a good run in the tournament as well. ICC T20 Women’s World Cup will start from February 10 and will go on till February 26. India will start off its campaign in a high-voltage match against Pakistan on February 12. Women in Blue were the runners-up in the 2020 edition of the tournament and lost to Australia in the final. “India’s chances will be largely dependent on the top order. Smriti Mandhana is playing well and is a match-winner. Harmanpreet Kaur has looked in good form too. But we have to beat Australia and England, and you need other batters to come to the party,” said Raj as quoted by ICC. “I hope Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh also have a good run at the World Cup considering they have gained so much experience of the conditions in South Africa. The bowling will be tested and that is where we need to see an improvement.” “I am excited about some of the young players coming through and there is definitely some talent in the Under-19s team which I had the chance to see play at the inaugural ICC Under-19s Women’s T20 World Cup,” Raj concluded her point. With an outstanding ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup still fresh and an inaugural Women Premier League (WPL) auction coming, Raj is hugely enthusiastic about the future of the game. “I am really hoping that the WPL will also help with player development. We have seen at the Under-19 World Cup how much young talent there is around the world and how players are already benefiting from the number of televised matches and the chance to play alongside big names in domestic cricket,” said Raj. “I cannot wait until the start of the World Cup, and I am expecting a really high standard of cricket in South