India ready for the challenge
The Indians are unperturbed ahead of the big finale tomorrow
Nagraj Gollapudi
09-Apr-2005
The Indians are unperturbed ahead of the big finale tomorrow. Sudha Shah, the Indian women's team coach, feels India have the advantage, and the conditions suit her team. In a telephone conversation with Cricinfo, she talked about the team's preparation, their strategy and the opponents.
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On not letting the occasion affect the team
We are just taking it as another match. We have told the girls not to take it as a final because that would put extra pressure on them. At the same time the Australians will be under lot of pressure because they have already been champions, whereas this is our first time.
We are just taking it as another match. We have told the girls not to take it as a final because that would put extra pressure on them. At the same time the Australians will be under lot of pressure because they have already been champions, whereas this is our first time.
On Australian strengths
They are very good side but we had the opportunity of playing a home series against them in December 2004. And having beaten them in the last three games of that series, though India lost 4-3, the girls know they can match the Aussies and that is an advantage for us. Though both teams are balanced on the paper the Australians are mentally stronger than us.
They are very good side but we had the opportunity of playing a home series against them in December 2004. And having beaten them in the last three games of that series, though India lost 4-3, the girls know they can match the Aussies and that is an advantage for us. Though both teams are balanced on the paper the Australians are mentally stronger than us.
On the factors that helped us beat Australia in the home series
We were just working on the confidence levels of the girls. They needed to believe in themselves and retain their spirit even if things didn't go their way. And the end result showed that they were positive and they have carried the similar spirit in the World Cup so far.
We were just working on the confidence levels of the girls. They needed to believe in themselves and retain their spirit even if things didn't go their way. And the end result showed that they were positive and they have carried the similar spirit in the World Cup so far.
On the wicket
There is no grass on the wicket and that is a plus point for us. It looks like it is full of runs.
There is no grass on the wicket and that is a plus point for us. It looks like it is full of runs.
On India's weakpoint so far
We were a little worried about our opening stand - our two openers have not clicked together. We would like a good opening stand. And we gave extra time to the batters during the nets today.
On the strategy
If we win the toss we will bat. We just don't want the pressure of chasing especially since this is our first final. And we will retain the same winning squad. Each member of the team has so far understood her responsibility and they should continue in the same vein and if they give their 100 percent we should surely win.
If we win the toss we will bat. We just don't want the pressure of chasing especially since this is our first final. And we will retain the same winning squad. Each member of the team has so far understood her responsibility and they should continue in the same vein and if they give their 100 percent we should surely win.