ICC Women World Cup 2022: Mithali Raj should have batted at number 3 – Veda Krishnamurthy

Indian batter Veda Krishnamurthy feels India might have missed the trick against New Zealand in their second match of the ongoing ICC Women World Cup 2022 at Seddon Park, Hamilton on Thursday after Mithali Raj-led team lost by 62 runs.

Krishnamurthy believes Indian skipper Mithali Raj should have batted at number three against the hosts.

New Zealand had posted a par score of 260 runs after India decided to bowl first. As it was a big target, Krishnamurthy feels Mithali Raj could have controlled one end. Furthermore, as Smriti Mandhana was dismissed early, it would have been left and right-hand batting combination, if Mithali Raj had come to bat as Yastika Bhatia is also a left-hander. However, the team management decided to stick with Deepti Sharma, who is a left-hander, at one down.

Deepti Sharma was dismissed after scoring only five runs and thus India was under pressure after losing two early wickets. Ergo, Yastika Bhatia, and Mithali Raj could not score at a brisk pace and thus the required run-rate climbed up.

Veda Krishnamurthy said on Star Sports, “You are right, we could have probably used the right-left combination because we saw how difficult it was for our bowlers when they were bowling to the left and right-handed combination. I am not sure if they missed a trick because we have three left-handers and all three got over in the top three.”

“I am saying from the first match that Mithali Raj should come at No. 3. I don’t know when she will do that but I feel she could have come in this match because it was a big target and she could have controlled the innings. She can build the innings and can manage one end.”

Krishnamurthy added that Mithali Raj is the best non-striker one could ask for as she keeps guiding the other batters and makes the job easier as she has all the experience under her bag.

“When I was batting and Mithali was at the non-striker’s end, I used to enjoy it a lot because I used to feel that she is there at one end and will manage and that I can play my shots. She also tells from the other end what needs to be done. If someone can be called the best non-striker, it is Mithali Raj.”

“Mithali Raj’s cover drives are textbook, she pierces the field no matter how many fielders you place. There was a joke in our dressing room that she starts a geometry class for the opposition team when she goes out to bat, that they will have to check the angles to set the field.”

India women will next play their third match of the tournament against West Indies women at Seddon Park, Hamilton on Saturday.