Hamilton, March 9: While the Indian bowlers were not quite tested against Pakistan batters, veteran speedster Jhulan Goswami thinks restricting the arch-rivals below 150 runs is a “good achievement for the bowling unit”. India continued their unbeaten run against Pakistan in ODIs, winning all their 11 matches, with four of those being in World Cups. The Mithali Raj-led side crushed Pakistan by 107 runs in their opening game of the World Cup on March 6.
“I think we bowled well as a group, we hit the ball in the right areas. The new ball bowlers restricted them in the first 10 overs and then spinners were able to get a bit of turn on that wicket. I think restricting them to below 150 runs is quite a good achievement for the bowling unit,” said Goswami at a virtual press conference.
India will next meet New Zealand, a side to whom they lost an ODI series 1-4 just before the World Cup, on March 10. When asked about playing a team who knows India well by now, Goswami said it will be “different as it is a World Cup match”. “We have to make use of whatever option we have.
Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh Thakur and even Simran Dil Bahadur (who is a standby player) and myself, we always discuss which areas we need to bowl because in New Zealand it is important to bowl in the right areas. The grounds are pretty open, wind is always blowing so how to handle that and take advantage of it is important. Everybody is not going to perform at the same time. One day someone will do well and others will support. I hope they continue with their good performance.”
At the top of the order, opener Shafali Verma is struggling to score runs. The right-hander was dismissed on 0 in a warm-up game and returned to the dugout without scoring in the first match of the World Cup. Goswami, however, backed the youngster and said, “Shafali has already proved herself in international cricket. Sometimes you will perform but sometimes not. She is working hard and hitting the ball hard in the nets. She is just one big knock away and if she gets the opportunity I am sure she will definitely do well”. UNI
