Women’s World Cup: India captain Mithali Raj calls on team to step up ahead of New Zealand clash

After suffering a crushing eight-wicket loss against Australia in their round-robin match of the ongoing Women’s World Cup, India skipper Mithali Raj has called on her team to step up and improve their performance in what would be a virtual quarter-final against New Zealand on July 15. Raj made ODI history in Bristol on Wednesday but it was Australia who booked its place in the semi-finals of the prestigious tournament at The County Ground.

India skipper Raj surpassed Charlotte Edwards’s record run total of 5,992 in one-day internationals during her 69, and while Poonam Raut also notched up a century, it was not enough with Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry unbeaten for Australia on 76 and 60 respectively.

“Obviously we now have a decider ahead against New Zealand to get to the semi-finals. As a team, we have to step up, as if we perform again like this it will not be enough,” said the India skipper. “We really have to improve all over the pitch, especially producing more consistency from how we are bowling and fielding,” she added.

Australia opted as it has done throughout the tournament to open with spin, and Lanning’s decision paid off almost immediately. Smriti Mandhana’s scratchy innings …read more