Despite the Indian women's team losing to six-time champions Australia in the league stage by eight wickets, former India captain Shubhangi Kulkarni felt it's defending champions, who will play under pressure
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Despite the Indian women's team losing to six-time world champions Australia in the league stage by eight wickets, former India captain Shubhangi Kulkarni felt it's the Meg Lanning-led defending champions, who will play under pressure during today's ICC Women's World Cup semi-final at Derby.
India's Deepti Sharma celebrates with skipper Mithali Raj after claiming the wicket of Seda Nain Fatima Abidi of Pakistan during the ICC Women's World Cup match against Pakistan at the County Ground in Derby, England on on July 2. PIC/Getty Images
"I don't think there is any psychological pressure on the Indian team because before and after losing to them (Australia) we played well and won. In fact, I think the pressure will be more on Australia. They win so regularly and have won the World Cup so there are a lot of expectations from them. At the same time, our girls are playing well and Australia have not played as per expectations," the former left-arm spinner told mid-day yesterday.
Shubhangi Kulkarni
Kulkarni, who played 19 Tests and 27 ODIs from 1976 to 1991, said: "Australia have always been very competitive, but we have been beaten them (in the 2009 World Cup) so it's not that they are unbeatable. Our team is also doing well, we got all skills to beat them so it's a good challenge."
Pune-based Kulkarni, who served as a member of the ICC and BCCI women's sub committee, felt there should be a collective effort in order to win today's semi-final clash. "A few players have impressed me very much with their performance during this tournament. Mithali (Raj) of course, Smriti (Mandhana) started off well, Ekta (Bisht) has been bowling well, Rajeshwari (Gayakwad) bowled well in last match, but in a 50-over game, it has to be collective effort," she added.
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