 VISAKHAPATNAM, Oct 11: All-rounder Sneh Rana asserted that the team has shown a lot of character to stick together through a turbulent Women's World Cup journey so far, and said India is ready to give a strong fight to seven-time champions Australia here on Sunday.
India are coming into this match on the back of a disappointing three-wicket defeat against South Africa here on Thursday.
"That's the beauty of this team. When things don't go your way, it, obviously, defines the character of everyone. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But bouncing back together is important," said Rana in the pre-match press conference here on Saturday.
"We went back, studied the result (vs SA) and regrouped. It's all about planning how we can improve and how to take the positives from it. Now, we look forward to the next game," she added.
Rana acknowledged the strength of the Australian side, but was confident about her side's ability to give them a run for their money.
"They (Australia) are definitely the strongest competitor. But we are also going with a positive mindset. We have played against them in the past and defeated them.
"So, the confidence is very high. We have been planning very well. Everyone is clear in their minds about their plan," she said.
Rana was aware that the Indian top-order batters are yet to deliver in this tournament, but expressed confidence in their ability to turn things around.
"I don't think it is a big concern because our batters have tackled everything well in the past. Ups and downs are part and parcel of the game. We have some of the best batters in the world and it is just a matter of time they come back," she said.
Rana said the Indian batters are working hard on several aspects of their game such as strike-rotation.
"Everyone knows where they are lagging and where they are not. So, everyone is training individually and specially to address those areas.
"If we talk about the strike-rate, it has been going on for some time. I think everyone knows that personally. And, as a team, we talk about that, and we are working towards that," she said.
Rana herself has been part of a couple of late-order rescue acts with the bat in this tournament. She added 88 runs for the seventh wicket with Richa Ghosh, helping India post 251 from the depth of 102 for six against South Africa.
Rana said she has been working on her batting in the last few months.
"Personally, I have been working on my batting for some time because I can be asked to tackle a situation with the bat at some time. So, I always prepare for that cameo. I have worked a lot on my hard-hitting skills in the past few months," she said.
The 31-year-old off-spinner did not divulge the team's thoughts on fielding a sixth bowling option against Australia, but mentioned that the bowlers have been doing well so far in the ICC showpiece.
|
