Mithali Raj ahead of England ODI series: We have the attack to defend any total

Mithali Raj

Indian women's Test and ODI captain Mithali Raj said defending totals is not a major concern for her team. However, going by India's last ODI series, a five-match challenge against South Africa in Lucknow in March, the hosts faced defeat in four games after failing to defend totals.

During India's 1-4 loss to South Africa in the ODI series, pacer Jhulan Goswami and left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad were the top wicket-takers with eight scalps each.

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Mithali sounded confident that her bowlers are capable enough to defend any total in response to Sunday mid-day's question during a virtual media interaction on the eve of first of the three-match ODI series against England at Bristol. "We have defended totals in the past; we have the bowling attack to do that. The current bowling attack, especially spinners, have won matches for us irrespective of conditions, whether it's in Australia, New Zealand or even in England during the 2017 World Cup [where India reached the final]. The bowlers have done well in defending totals," Mithali, 38, said on Saturday.

"It all depends on how we put up a total if we bat first. If we have a total to defend, it boils down to the rhythm and timing of the batters and bowlers," added Mithali, who completed 22 years in international cricket on Saturday.

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