Mithali banks on new coach Raman

Mumbai, January 13 

Her differences with ousted coach Ramesh Powar and CoA member Diana Edulji are a thing of past and Mithali Raj is gearing up to make a “fresh start” under new coach WV Raman with the upcoming tour of New Zealand. 

The women's team was at the centre of a huge controversy after their semifinal exit in the T20 World Cup in the West Indies as Mithali accused previous coach Powar of bias and CoA member Edulji of trying to finish her career. “I think it's a fresh start. Coming into the new year, this is the first series. Yes, we have moved on from that controversy,” ODI skipper Mithali said during the team's pre-departure press conference.

Mithali is confident that Raman's experience as a coach would make a difference and she will be on the “same page” with the former India opener. “When a coach comes in the national side, we as a team are very vocal and expressive as to what is required for the benefit of the team. The coach and the players will have to be on the same page, because that's very important,” she said.

While this will be her first stint under Raman, she is confident that it will be onwards and upwards from here on. “I have not trained under him (Raman) but met him a couple of times, and if you see his credentials, he has played at the highest level and coached various teams at various levels. You only have to stay positive that the coach will make a big difference to the team,” the star batter exuded confidence.

Mithali also acknowledged that all the coaches have played a part in shaping up the team. “I honestly believe every coach brings a very different perspective to the table. The team, what it is today, is because of all those various coaches. The team has come so far and his (Raman) knowledge will only benefit the team to go further,” she added. Mithali also stressed that as the ODI captain she will bring the team together. “At this level, every player understands what it takes to reach at this level and what it takes as a team to play, go on an overseas tour, aim to win the series,” the skipper said.  — PTI