ODI series: United India women look for revenge versus hosts New Zealand

NAPIER : The India women’s team will aim to put behind the off-field furore and bring focus back on the game when it clashes with New Zealand in a three-match ODI series starting Thursday.

The team was at the centre of a huge controversy after its semifinal exit in the T20 World Cup in the West Indies owing to a bitter public spat between ODI captain Mithali Raj and the then coach Ramesh Powar.

The side would be aiming to improve their fifth position in the ICC championship table through this series, which is part of the world body’s women’s championship and will determine qualifiers for the 2021 World Cup.

India lost the home leg of the ICC Women’s Championship series 2-1 to New Zealand during the last cycle that ran from 20142016. However, the team has enough firepower in stylish opener Smriti Mandhana, who has already scored 488 runs in the championship. “These matches are going to be very important for us. India are presently at number five on the points table, so it is very important from that perspective that we gain as many points from this ODI series,” Mithali said.

“Beating New Zealand in the World Cup and the World T20, it definitely gives us a psychological advantage, but again, we are playing in different conditions, we are playing in their backyard, so it is important that the team acclimatizes,” she added.

New Zealand are second on the table with 12 points. “You can’t afford to take any game or series lightly and we will be doing everything in our power to put our best performances on the park at home against India,” captain Amy Satterthwaite said.

New Zealand are without wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin, but have match-winners in the likes of former captain Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine.