India was outstanding with bat and the ball in its comprehensive eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first T20 International on Sunday, but captain Harmanpreet Kaur promised a better fielding show from her team in the next game.
Indian players had a bad day in the office on the field, spilling a number of regulation catches, despite restricting Sri Lanka to a modest 121 for 6.
Jemimah Rodrigues starred with an unbeaten 69 off 44 balls as India chased down a 122-run target with 32 balls to spare.
“Yeah, did well with bat and ball but fielding is something we’re really working hard (on). But I don’t know why we keep dropping catches but, yeah, next match we’ll come up with (an) even better approach.
“It’s (the ground) wet (because of dew), no doubt about it but it’s no excuse. We know these conditions are going to be there. I think that is something which we really need to think about it because in crucial matches these things can cost us. In the next match I’m sure we’ll come up with a better approach.”
Asked if her team is also ready to bat first, put up a total and try to defend it, she said, “Well, we are also playing after almost a month (after ODI World Cup triumph) so we don’t want to unnecessarily challenge ourselves.
“I think I feel whatever is the condition, we just think how we can do better for our team so I think today was something we wanted to bowl first and then chase. I think we will really did well so I don’t want to unnecessarily keep challenging ourselves.
“I think it’s better to go with the situation and how we can show our better approach.” Player of the match Jemimah said she wanted to build on the good form of the ODI World Cup.
“When the runs are coming, I need to capitalise. That was the mindset,” she said.
Asked if four to five fielders will be needed to stop her productive late cut, she quipped, “I will still find the gaps.”
Her strategy was to understand the conditions and play accordingly.
“It was slightly sticky, not as flat as everyone initially though. I was in good touch. My mindset was simple. In my mind I was blank, I was just reacting to the ball.”
On the team’s mindset, Jemimah said, “We have been going really well. What has happened in the past has happened. What’s next? It is the T20 World Cup. We just want to win that.”
On playing Sri Lankan spinner Shashini Gimhani who she struck four boundaries off in an over, Jemimah said, “Our video analysts told us that she is very good. She is a rising star and will be doing well for Sri Lanka. I was just reacting to her deliveries and playing over the fielder.”
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu admitted that 121 was a not a good total to defend.
“We have to bounce back in the next game. We made a lot of mistakes in the middle. We have to play positive cricket in the middle.”
When asked about the dew factor, she said, “We can’t play the conditions. We have to play in these conditions and hopefully we can play better cricket in the next few days. We need to improve a few areas especially in batting.
“We have to play positive cricket. We played very defensive cricket. We have to be positive. I have to show more responsibility and I have to lead from the front. I hope the youngsters also do better.”
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