Batting according to the game situation – The numbers back Mithali Raj’s mantra

The Indian Women’s team under the leadership of Mithali Raj is all set to compete in the upcoming 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Before the side departed to New Zealand for the mega tournament and the limited-overs matches preceding that, the captain and the coach Ramesh Powar interacted with the media. During the press conference, Mithali spoke on various aspects of Team India’s World Cup campaign.

With Women’s ODI cricket receiving more attention than ever, the batting strike rate is one parameter that has been brought up time and again. While the game is speeding up, it is paramount to understand each player bats according to his/her role in the unit and more importantly, according to the situation. When asked about the Indian team’s strategy in scoring 250-plus totals in ODIs, the captain cleared her stance.

“I think too much importance is given to strike rate…I believe that cricket is a game played on situations on the ground. And yes, it is important that we keep that in mind that we need to have a healthy strike rate. But at the end of the day, it’s how our batting unit revolves and the depth of the batting unit in our team,” Mithali said.

“So yes, when we have to score 250-270, we need to have a healthy strike rate, but having said that, we will not only entirely focus on strike rate, it’s important to play an innings to win and build partnerships, and that happens, not because of strike rate but because you apply and play according to the situation on the ground. Sometimes you have to play fast, but sometimes you have to play to get your team out of the hole too,” the Indian ODI captain added.

The Indian captain also added that to achieve the scores around 250-270, the top order will have to bear a greater responsibility. The statement is backed by Team India’s performance in the 2017 Women’s World Cup. The team crossed the threshold of 250 runs thrice with at least one of the top batters stepping up each time. India went on to clinch victory in all three of these matches. This was also evident in the recent series against Australia where multiple batters from the top order had to step up to raise a tall score.   

“If we have to visit the 2017 World Cup, where the team has done well and put on scores of 250 and 270, is because one top-order plays through the innings and the rest of them revolve around that…It’s very rare that the middle-order or lower-middle order scores the bulk of the runs. It’s important that, as a batting unit, all of us take the responsibility of playing our roles,” added Mithali.

Speaking specifically about the captain, Mithali Raj has glowing numbers in ODI cricket. She has more experience in steering her side towards a victory than any other woman cricketer. Her tally of ODI runs scored in a winning cause (4515 runs in 125 ODI victories for India) is a world record in women’s cricket. Mithali’s incredible batting average of 106.35 in successful ODIs chases is best among all cricketers who have completed 30 such innings. The list includes Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni.

Mithali’s tremendous chasing record gives ample proof of her game awareness. As recently as July 2021, the senior India batter displayed her excellent skills in varying her batting tempo according to the situation. Chasing 220 against England in 47 overs, Mithali struck an unbeaten 75 off 86 balls to take the team home. After starting patiently, she scored her last 43 runs in just 31 balls. Mithali secured India’s victory in the final over with a boundary.

The veteran batter will be playing in her sixth Women’s ODI World Cup. Mithali’s first-ever World Cup appearance was also in New Zealand, the country that will be hosting this year’s tournament. In 31 World Cup matches, she has scored 1139 runs at an impressive average of 54.23. The Indian captain had a successful year with the bat in 2021 where she averaged 62.87 in 11 matches. She was also named in ICC’s Women’s ODI Team of the Year. The batting legend will be hoping to achieve India’s dream of lifting their first-ever Women’s World Cup.