"Bowlers need to be consistent now; we have to get the team combination ready ahead of the WC": Gargi Banerjee ahead of ENG-W vs IND-W 2nd T20I

Indian Women's Cricket team faced a tough loss against England in the first T20I of the series. England Women's chased India's 131 with ease as they won the match by 9 wickets. However, the ground condition and pitch looked far better when the home team batted. Even Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian captain said at the post-match press conference that they were forced to play when the conditions were not good enough to play. Former Indian Cricketer Gargi Banerjee feels in that tough condition, Indian batters did very well. But, Indian bowlers will have to execute their plans and be consistent to win more matches.

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"Indian batters did well": Gargi Banerjee

India was forced to play the match despite the conditions being not favourable to play. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur was vocal on it. Gargi Banerjee too seemed disappointed with that. But, she feels India has to play under tough conditions to get ready for the World Cup. "130 on that pitch and condition was great. If the wicket was great, we could have gotten to 180-90 or even 200. But as Harman said the conditions were not even good enough to play. So, as a batting unit we did well," said Gargi Banerjee.

Besides that, she added, "but with the kind of batting we have, we have to play in tough conditions, not in unplayable though; to get ready for the world cup. The more we prepare in tough conditions and do well, the better the batters will get."

England looked very comfortable in the chase. Moreover, they only took 13 overs to finish the match. Indian bowlers except Renuka Singh looked below average as they lacked control and leaked boundaries at random.

"Yes, the pitch and conditions got better. Even the outfield got better. But, when we are planning for a World Cup, our bowlers will now have to take the responsibility. They have been playing for a long now at the international level. And it is high time they become consistent with line and length," former India cricketer Gargi Banerjee said in an exclusive interview with Sportz Point.

India leaked 14 fours and 3 sixes in just 13 overs in ENG-W vs IND-W 1st T20I

India while bowling just 13 overs, conceded 14 fours, 3 sixes and 17 extras. Thus, India leaked more than one boundary in very over if we make an average. Gargi Banerjee feels India can not afford to do that if they want to win consistently.

"You can not concede boundaries after every two-three balls. Then the pressure goes away. We need to stop that and be more accurate in our line and length. If bowlers get punished every two-three balls, it becomes hard for the captain as well," Gargi Banerjee expressed.

In the first match, due to the injury to Jemimah Rodrigues, Dayalan Hemalatha was called upon to replace her. Along with her, a young sensation Kiran Navgire made her debut as well in the international arena. Both the players could not do much with the bat. But Gagri Banerjee feels with more matches given to them, they can be an asset for India.

"Both the players have not played a lot of domestic games. Yes, Nagvire did well in the Women's T20 Challenge, but she will have to adjust to this level to be successful. They both need more games under the belt to be consistent at the higher level."

Indian Women's Cricket team has been experimenting with the combination of the team for a few seasons. Yet, they have not been able to create a permanent team combination yet for the T20Is. The former Indian Cricketer feels India needs to find the best-suited team combination very soon to do well in the upcoming World Cup.

"I wish the Indian team very well for the match as this is a must-win match for us. All the best to the girls," Gargi Banerjee wished the team for the all-important match tonight.

ENG-W vs IND-W 2nd T20I will start at 10.30 pm, tonight. The match will be played at the Riverside Ground. You can watch the match LIVE on Sony Network in India.