Ahead of Saturday’s high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup, former Indian captain Mithali Raj has offered a key piece of advice to the national team. Mithali strongly advised the players to ignore the external environment and social media noise and focus on their strategy and process on the field.

IND W vs PAK W: Mithali Raj makes a big statement ahead of the India-Pakistan match, calling Prema Rawat a ‘surprise package’

Match pressure and focus on process

Speaking on a special program on Sony Sports Network, Mithali Raj clarified that the pressure of a match against Pakistan is natural, but one should not let it get to her head. She said that repeatedly reiterating the magnitude of the match creates mental pressure even before the game begins.

According to the former captain, whether the opponent is Pakistan, England, or New Zealand, the ultimate goal is to take the field and win the match. Mithali placed a special responsibility on the senior players, saying they must help the younger players cope with the mental stress of this high-profile match.

Voices from the Ground / Official Statements

“It’s impossible to stop the off-field noise surrounding the India-Pakistan match, so it’s best to accept it. The players should put aside the pressure and focus solely on their performance and the process of the match.”

Prema Rawat can become a ‘surprise package’

Speaking about the team combination, Mithali expressed special confidence in India’s young all-rounder, Prema Rawat. She described her as the surprise package of the tournament. Prema has performed exceptionally well with both bat and ball on recent India A tours.

As a leg spinner, Prema possesses excellent wicket-taking abilities in the shorter formats. Mithali Raj emphasized that Prema’s aggressive batting, quick running between the wickets, and agile fielding make her a complete T20 all-rounder. She now needs consistent opportunities in the playing XI to prove herself at the international level.