India need to get rid of their inhibitions while batting first in ODIs: WV Raman

Speaking in a virtual media interaction organised by Sony Sports, Raman said that the Indian team has to go out on the field with the intent of scoring 260 even if they play ordinarily. "That is the kind of mindset they have to develop as a team. Playing out the initial overs and making up towards the end will not work every time. You cannot leave it till too late," he said on Tuesday (October 5).

"While chasing they have no option. Even if they chase 280, they go for it and get it. While batting first, they have their own inhibitions. They must get rid of it while going out to bat. If they get 260-280, I can't see many sides winning against the quality bowling attack India have."

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On India's T20I skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Raman said that Australian conditions would suit her style of batting. Despite coming back from an injury, he expects Kaur to do well in the upcoming series.

“Harmanpreet has been unlucky in terms of injuries. It is something nobody can do anything about, but the fact is that when she played in The Hundred after the England series, she put up a few good scores. Given her experience, and the ball coming on to bat in Australia, you would expect her to do well in the T20Is," Raman said.

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Richa Ghosh made her ODI debut against Australia and is likely to continue the role in the T20Is. The former coach had high words of praise for Ghosh and called her player for the future. "We can expect her to be a part of the Indian team for a long long time because she does have the extraordinary talent as a batter. She can also double up as a keeper if she puts in some work in her keeping. That is something that she will strive to do."

Raman, who is currently commentating on the ongoing India-Australia series for Sony Sports as an expert panelist, said that Pooja Vastrakar is an ideal cricketer in the modern era and added that despite the injury-ridden start to her international career, the allrounder had come a long way in the last couple of years.

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"There was no doubt as far as her talent is concerned. She is very athletic. She can be a very useful pacer, perhaps the quickest in the Indian setup. She also really tonks the ball quite a bit. I think she is an ideal cricketer in the modern era. You need a multi-dimensional cricketer these days," he added.

Jemimah Rodrigues lost her place in the T20I side to Harleen Deol during the tour of England. However, post the series, she had an incredible season with Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. When Rodrigues was expected to start in the ODIs, Yastika Bhatia made her debut and did well in Australia. While whether she will start in the T20Is is still not certain, Raman said that the young batter doing well in The Hundred is a good sign for the team. “She brings in that pocket dynamo quality of hers. She is busy as a batter, gives a lot of encouragement to the bowlers and is a terrific fielder.”

When asked if India still has a chance to win the T20I series, Raman said that he sees no reason why it cannot happen. “They have done extraordinarily well as a unit."

"It is a very good side, a young side. And they are also brought up in the hustle and bustle of the shorter format, which means they play fearless cricket. I don't see any reason why they cannot win the T20 series," Raman concluded.

Viewers in India can catch all the matches of India’s tour of Australia live on Sony Six and Sony Six HD. The matches will also be live streamed on the Sony Liv website and app.