Mithali Raj deserves every praise in the world, she single-handedly won us Worcester ODI: Coach Ramesh Powar

There was tension in the Indian dressing room in Worcester towards the final moments of the ODI series finale as India Women were on the verge of registering their first win on the England tour. After a solid start from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, India’s middle-order floundered once again but captain Mithali Raj was doing what she has been doing for years now — hold the innings together.

Mithali Raj hit two successive fifties in the first 2 ODIs but they went in vain with England dominating the ties. However, on Saturday, Raj’s record-breaking 75 not out was enough to help India register a win and stay alive in the multi-format points-based series in England.

More importantly, it was a statement made by Mithali Raj’s side that they can beat the best in the business and prove their merit in the lead up to next year’s World Cup. Raj had faced criticism over her strike rate but on Saturday she scored at over 80 to help India gun down 220 on a tricky pitch.

Speaking to BCCI, head coach Ramesh Powar, who has buried the hatchet with Mithali, heaped praise on the skipper, saying she single-handedly took India past the finish line in Worcester. In fact, during the course of her winning knock, Mithali Raj went past Charlotte Edwards for the most runs in women’s international cricket.

“Mithali Raj deserves every praise in the world. She has been a fantastic servant of the game. 22 years of cricket and I think she is a role model for a lot of our girls,” Powar said.

“She single handedly won us the game (3rd ODI). I can tell you, chasing 220 on a low-bounce track… she took us over the line,” he added.

A thrilling finish
A superb win
A captain’s knock #TeamIndia Head Coach @imrameshpowar takes us through what @M_Raj03 means to the side, how @JhulanG10 is an inspiration and more after the team’s victory over England in the 3rd #ENGvIND WODI.

Watch pic.twitter.com/967Rz6Kbio

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 4, 2021

Sneh Rana can deliver in crunch situations: Powar

Ramesh Powar also pointed out Sneh Rana’s contribution on the England tour so far, saying she has been the find of the series. Rana made her Test debut last month and came up with a heroic fifty to help India seal a draw. She returned to the ODI side for the first time in 7 years in the recently completed series and came up with a quickfire cameo in the series finale.

With Mithali Raj stressing that Sneh could become the finisher that India need in the shortest-format of the game, Powar heaped praise on the all-rounder’s ability to deliver in crunch situations.

“Sneh Rana is the find of the series,” Powar said.

“The way she was bowling in Southampton, in the practice sessions, we thought we must give her a chance. The think tank thought it was a difficult decision to play two off-spinners in the XI but she just played her role to the core and I am really happy for her.

“Being an off-spinner myself, I can see the talent. She is a player who can play the crunch situations well and that’s what we needed. In the big series, come up, we need players who can deliver under pressure,” he added.

India will take on England in a 3-match T20I series from July 9 with the visitors still having a chance to win the multi-format tour in the Old Blighty. England have 6 points while India took 2 points from their 3rd ODI win to take their tally to 4.