ICC World Cup 2019: Mithali Raj Backs Kohli-Led India Ahead Of The Clash Against Australia

India are all set to take on one of their arch-rivals Australia in the ICC World Cup 2019 on Sunday, June 9 in Kennington Oval, London. India have won their first game against South Africa in their first game whereas Australia also won convincingly against Afghanistan and West Indies respectively.

Ahead of their clash, India Women’s Cricket Team Captain (ODI and Test) Mithali Raj backed Virat Kohli & Co. for their upcoming clash. Mithali, who reached in England recently, shared her thoughts in an interview with Sports Flashes. 

While speaking about India’s performance in the ongoing World Cup, Mithali said, “I think they’ve done well. I was a little nervous in the beginning because we all had to wait for quite a while before India played their first game in the campaign.”

“India playing against South Africa who lost two consecutive matches assisted the players’ mindset. The way that Rohit Sharma paced his innings was vital as it led to a win,” she further added.

The captain, who took the Women in Blue in the final of ICC World Cup in 50-over format twice in 2005 and 2017, expressed that there is a lot of expectations from this team and the captain should back himself as well as his team as well.

“I think he should just back his team, back himself on every step that he takes on the field. Since the World Cup is the biggest event, the tournament carries its own treasures and brings in the pressure of billions of expectations from back home,” explained Mithali Raj.

“At this time, it’s important to regroup as a unit before every game and try communicating as much as possible on as well as off the field as it boosts the confidence of the team members,” the highest run-getter in the Women’s Cricket, Mithali Raj shared.

Australia is one of the strongest teams in this edition of the ICC World Cup and one of the favourites too. They are the most successful side in the history of the tournament and the defending champion as well. It wouldn’t be easy for India to beat them.

While speaking about this, Mithali shared, “Well, if you play the best team, you’re always expected to bring the best out of yourself.”

“And that’s what is expected to happen when one faces a quality side like Australia. That is also the reason why Virat Kohli as a batsman has performed so consistently against them. Once again, we’ll be hoping that he does the same,” said the stalwart of Indian Women’s Cricket.