"Addition of psychologist will help India a lot," says former India cricketer Gargi Banerjee

India have been there but was not able able to cross the final line in the two occasions in the Women's World Cup. But this time former Indian cricketer and manager Gargi Banerjee thinks the addition of the psychologist will help India to cross the line.

"India always have been a very good ODI team. We have the batter and the bowlers to win any tournament. But we lacked in mental abilities. I think this year could be India's year as they look more tough and balanced mentally," Gargi Banerjee said in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

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Indian vice captain Harmanpreet Kaur have already said that the psychologist helped her a lot coming out of the shell in her tough times. Kaur's much waited runs in the warm up games proves that a lot. According to Gargi Banerjee, "The psychologist will surely help the team to be more balanced mentally in those tough times. ICC tournaments are all bout holding your nerves. I think India lacked that over the years. Despite playing good cricket, we could not cross the final just because of that."

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India with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Mithali Raj, Yastika Bhatia and Harmanpreet Kaur looks a solid side on paper batting wise. However, the former India cricketer feels "they need to play according to situations and must have a plan for every situation."

Moreover, along with the top five she thinks it will be young batter Richa Ghosh who will have the most impact in India's Women's World Cup journey. "Richa has the hunger to do well and contribute to team's cause. I have seen it in Australia when I was with the team. With the power she posses I think she will be the one to watch out in this tournament."

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In an interview for ICC, Mithali Raj have already told that Richa Ghosh is the future star for India. The young wicket-keeper batter from Bengal has already broke many records in her young career.

With the bowling, India always had the experience of Jhulan Goswami who holds the record for most wickets in women's ODIs. But, young pacers likes Meghna, Pooja Vastrakar and young Renuka will surely have to follow what the legend is doing.

"They will have to follow Jhulan. What she is doing, what length she is bowling. If they can do that, India will be in good position. With the conditions in New Zealand, India will go with three pacers. So, they will play a major role in India's success," Gargi Banerjee added.

Although, according to her it is the fielding of team India that led many vital losses in the past. "Fielding is a key component now. We need to stop singles, doubles and boundaries like teams like Australia and England. That will be very vital", she added.

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It was Virat Kohli who had said that they wanted to win for Sachin Tendulkar in his last world cup in 2011. Gargi Banerjee thinks young players now need to do it for Jhulan and Mithali. "This is their last opportunity to win. For youngsters this is their last opportunity to carry these two legends on their shoulders. This should bring extra motivation to do well and give extra efforts on the filed," she added.

India starts their Women's World Cup journey on 6th March against Pakistan. Pakistan is yet to defeat India in any Women's World Cup.