We are looking for some consistency, we are looking at winning habit: Ramesh Powar

The India women’s team will be facing Sri Lanka women for three T20Is followed by as many ODIs at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium respectively between June 23 to July 7. It will be a new start for India, as the ODI charge will be taken by the new skipper Harmanpreet Kaur since Mithali Raj announced her retirement.

India last played international cricket during the ICC Women’s World Cup, where they failed to qualify for the semi-finals and had to return after a heart-breaking outing in New Zealand. Raj, who led India in the World Cup, had announced last year that the mega-event would be her swansong. Kaur, who was in charge of the T20Is will now be stepping into the ODI format as well to become India’s white-ball skipper.

As the Indian squad left for Sri Lanka today, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and head coach Ramesh Powar addressed the media in a press conference. Powar, whose tenure was renewed this year, revealed how the team has been planning for some changes and had the idea of inculcating the strategies into the ecosystem.

“We are looking for some consistency, we are looking at a winning habit. For that, we all came together as captain, coach, and vice-captain. We have already spoken to the BCCI, and VVS Laxman, who is the head of cricket and there have been a few things going on,” Powar said in a press conference.

We want to win World Cups with a squad that can compete in every condition: Ramesh Powar

Powar also revealed how the cricketers had been working hard to improve their fitness in order to get better at fielding, which is a weak point in the side. He mentioned that it is the priority for the team at the current stage, and said that their ultimate goal is to get together a World Cup-winning squad.

“We are trying to work on our fielding and fitness and take our players to the next level. That is the immediate goal that we are trying to achieve. We want to win World Cups, but it is important that you build a squad which can compete in every condition and against every opposition,” he added.

India will feel the absence of Mithali Raj, and skipper Kaur will have big responsibilities on her shoulders. The games will constitute the ICC Women’s ODI Championship cycle and India will look to start their campaign with a bang.