Queenstown (New Zealand), Feb 8 (Agency) Indian women’s ODI skipper Mithali Raj on Tuesday said that the team will use the series against New Zealand to prepare for the upcoming 50-over World Cup. India would be playing one T20I and five ODIs ahead of the 50-over World Cup that is scheduled to begin on March 4 in New Zealand. India will play the one-off T20 on February 9 at the John Davies Oval, Queenstown, followed by three ODIs starting from February 12. “It will take them at least two or three games to get used to the conditions.
We are here to use this series as preparation for the World Cup because it is the best way we get to know about the wickets and composition we will have next month,” cricbuzz quoted Mithali as saying. “We want to put in our best standard of cricket so the team derives a lot of confidence when we get into the World Cup. We play to win but I look forward to giving some game time to the core players. It is important they find their rhythm before the World Cup,” she said. The skipper also stressed on the importance of having a mental health conditioning coach especially when the players put through quarantines and bio-bubbles. “I think every individual has their own way of absorbing pressure, coming out and playing their best cricket. Having a sports psychologist travelling with the team this time around helps,” she said.
“She has one-on-one sessions with the players to give them more time to understand how to deal with their pressures and find ways that they can absorb and play their best cricket. “In today’s time, it is even more important and helpful to have them around travelling with the team with longer duration of quarantines and bio-bubbles. Unlike before where we get into the World Cup directly we have a series where the tour is extended for two months. “It does help to have a one-on-one session with them because you see things in a very different perspective and that clearly helps you understand your own self to find your own ways. Everyone has different ways of dealing with pressures and quarantine times, to have somebody address those issues is always helpful – a more professional support.”