New Delhi: Veteran India pacer Jhulan Goswami believes the ODI series in New Zealand will help the team bridge the gap and get used to the windy conditions ahead of the Women’s World Cup in that country starting March 4. .
The 39-year-old, who is the highest wicket-taker in ODIs, will feature in his last ICC mega event. The ODI series against New Zealand will start from February 11.
The 18-member Indian team, including three reserve players, is expected to leave for New Zealand on January 24.
“We are getting to play in New Zealand before the World Cup which is good preparation. This will help us get used to the conditions and the weather.
“There is a lot of wind blowing there and we as cricketers need some time to adjust to the conditions. As bowlers, we find it difficult to bowl against the wind in the beginning.
“Those five games will allow us to get familiar with the pitches and the weather. All the matches are going to be important. We have a squad of 18 if we want to rotate our players before the World Cup (which can be done in the ODI series). Is).
“We haven’t played much international cricket lately. So we will get time to rectify our mistakes before the big tournament.
India’s last assignment was the tour of Australia in September-October. After that, eight Indian players competed in the Big Bash League, while a few others played in domestic one-day tournaments and the Challenger Trophy.
The World Cup, which has been pushed from 2021 to 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic, is expected to be a farewell event for Jhulan and ODI and Test captain Mithali Raj.
However, Jhulan remained silent about her future.
“Well the World Cup is the priority at the moment. We have to go and play good cricket. That is the most important thing. For the last four years we have been preparing for it and unfortunately it was postponed. Now the focus is only on this. We will see something else after the World Cup.
“Now the cases (COVID) are rising again across the world. We get a little scared even in travel. When we reach New Zealand, we can’t make excuses. We will be judged only on the basis of our performance.”
India will start their World Cup campaign against Pakistan on March 6.
Jhulan called the match as important as the other matches he would play.
“We are not thinking of any individual team as it is the World Cup. We have to do well in the matches and prepare for all the teams.”
get all IPL news and cricket score Here