The Indian Women’s team received a grand welcome at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai when they returned after their terrific performance in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 at England. The Women in Blue finished as runner-up after losing to England in a close encounter by 9 runs.
At a press conference in Mumbai, Raj the skipper of the women’s team said, “After the bad performance in 2013 girls prepared really hard for this World Cup. We’ll put the similar effort for T20 World Cup.”
She went to add, “It is quite overwhelming to see the response. It is the first time for all of us. I did face exactly similar situation but of a lot lesser magnitude in 2005. This is just the beginning for good times ahead. I think Indian women’s team always deserved it but now with broadcasting and BCCI promotion, it has made a huge difference to women’s cricket,” as per ANI reports.
Captain @M_Raj03 addressing the media in Mumbai #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/8LOtHhgN6M
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) July 26, 2017
While talking about the women’s IPL, she stated, “If something like this is started in India, it will help players in getting exposure but it’s up to the BCCI.” The Indian skipper marched past England’s Charlotte Edwards to become the highest run-getter in ODI cricket during the World Cup. She also went on to the record books scoring seven consecutive fifties.
“Have played domestic & International Cricket but had never played long innings. Loved it that I played well in times of need,” Harmanpreet Kaur communicated her delight when asked about her innings of unbeaten 171 against the defending world champions Australia in the semifinals. Talking about her possibility to be the captain for the 2019 World Cup she added, “The way our team is playing now, whoever be the Captain in the next World Cup, we’ll try not to fall short of the target.”
One of the senior most members of the team and the highest wicket-taker in ODI’s Jhulan Goswami while talking about her spell at Lords said, “Playing at Lords is a dream for every player. Playing final there is a dream come true. There was pressure but I enjoyed it.”
“When you play winning a toss is never in your hands. Batting first or second doesn’t matter. We chased the target quite well,” the small stature opening batter of India Poonam Raut concluded saying when a reporter asked whether losing the toss made the difference.
The teams along with the support staffs are scheduled to meet the Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow in Delhi.