ENG W vs IND W | We need to get into a better rhythm together as a team, admits Shikha Pandey

India’s draw in the Bristol Test raised the hopes and the expectations from the team, going into the three-match ODI series. However, the Blues hit a familiar territory, where they were bamboozled by England across all three departments, with India’s lacklustre batting coming to the fore. While India managed to claw England back in the second ODI, it wasn’t enough, as Sophia Dunkley and Katherine Brunt took the team home. 

For India, this series isn’t an ultimatum, however, with the World Cup coming ahead next year, the three ODIs paint a realistic picture of where the team stands. The all-rounder batted for the team to play a fearless brand of cricket, something that other nations such as England, Australia and South Africa have been doing in women’s cricket. She also stated that the batting unit has to play with a more positive attitude.

Mithali Raj has stood as a lone performer in the batting department, with senior players Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur struggling to find their feet. However, Shikha insisted that it is only a matter of time before they return to form and help the team clinch the final ODI against England.

"We all know how good batters they are, Smriti and Harman, they are world class batters. It's just one innings that they need to get under their belt and we're all backing them. I'm sure in the next few games - probably in the next game itself - they both will be back and help the team to win the game."

"I think we did pretty well in all the three departments in the second game and we are catching up. It's just about backing our strengths and we know as a team we are a very good team. When we play to our strengths and we have a good day, we know that we can beat any team in the world. So we're just backing ourselves and looking forward to the next game, and not thinking too much about what has happened," she concluded.