India’s fate depends on this match before AUS, Mithali hinted at a turnaround
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Mitali Raj Women T2O World Cup 2026: After defeating Pakistan and Netherlands, the morale of the Indian team is at its peak in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Now there is competition left with South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia in the league round. It is still easy to defeat Bangladesh, but the challenge of South Africa and Australia will not be less.
Indian women’s cricket team
New Delhi: When former captain Mithali Raj was asked who would give tough competition to the Indian team between Australia and South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup, she gave an answer which no one expected. Mithali says that the match against South Africa will be more important than six-time champion Australia. Mithali Raj said this in an exclusive conversation with News18 Hindi.
Match against South Africa on 21st June, Australia on 30th June
Actually, in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup in England, India is on top in Group A after winning both its matches. The Indian team, which is searching for its first T20 World Cup title, now has to face South Africa on June 21, Bangladesh on June 25 and Australia on June 30 in the league round. Mithali Raj said in a special conversation that there will be a bigger fight with South Africa than with Australia. South Africa, which had reached the finals of the last two World Cups, was eliminated from the trophy by Australia in 2023 and New Zealand in 2024. If Mithali Raj is to be believed:
Neither team is difficult. The Indian team will enter with the intention of defeating both. This should be the mindset, but he says that the first match is important. We are playing South Africa first on Sunday, so we should win it first. South Africa never has a good start in the World Cup, but later their team counterattacks. If we win this match then we will have enough time to prepare against Australia.
Mithali Raj’s conversation with News18
Indian team is on top in Group A
Indian women’s team is on top in its Group B after defeating Pakistan by 64 runs and Netherlands by 95 runs. Young off-spinner Shreyanka Patil is out of the tournament due to an ankle injury. In his place, leg spinner Prema Rawat has been included in the team, who has not played a single international match yet. 24-year-old Rawat has been included in the senior national team for the first time. She has played six matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore in two seasons of the Women’s Premier League.
About the Author
Anshul Talmale is captaining the sports desk of Network18 Group from February 2025, wearing the jersey of Deputy News Editor. Here, he is handling the role of sports content planning, editorial direction and strategy making.read more
