INDW vs NZW: "Fielding will be the key in this match," says former India Cricketer Gargi Banerjee

Indian Women's team will go one on one against the mighty New Zealand Women's team at 6.30 am on Thursday. After a very comfortable win against the Pakistani team, India will be very confident against the White Ferns in Hamilton. However, with both the teams having legends in their teams, Gargi Banerjee feels it will be the fielding of both the teams that will decide the INDW vs NZW match.

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"There is no certainty in a tournament like World Cup. Teams like West Indies, Pakistan and Bangladesh have shown anyone can fight and win on their given day," Gargi Banerjee cautioned India after a huge win against Pakistan. "New Zealand is a very good team and they will look to better their position on the points table," she added ahead of the INDW vs NZW clash.

India did not have a great start against the arch-rival Pakistan. Shafali Verma's off form continued as she could not even open her account. "She is choosing the wrong balls and wrong shots. She needs to give herself time or at least choose the right deliveries to attack. Otherwise, if the team keeps losing wickets at the start, they will be in big trouble."

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However, India did pull it back as Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana made a record-breaking partnership batting down the order for India. Their 122 run partnership for the seventh wicket is India's best in any Women's World Cup. Moreover, this was the first time in Women's ODI cricket that both the batter below number seven scored a fifty in the same match.

"They showed both guts and sense at the same time. Sneh Rana is a very useful cricketer. And, Pooja is well known for her hitting range. It was their approach and intent that took India out of misery against Pakistan," Gargi Banerjee sounded thrilled on their performance in the last game. "I think the appointment of the psychologist helped to build their mental strength like this," she added.

Sneh Rana against Pakistan Women's. Image - Female Cricket

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Though middle-order stalwart Mithali struggled against the Pakistani attack, Gargi Banerjee is not worried about her form and strike rate at all. "Mithali plays like this. She takes time and plays according to the situation. Her presence on the crease worries the opponent a lot. And she knows it very well," she told Sportz Point in an exclusive interview prior to the INDW vs NZW match.

The former Indian cricketer feels India can try Shafali Verma down the order which can help her stroke play when the ball is not doing too much. In that case, she wants Deepti Sharma to move up the order.

"Deepti is playing very well. Shafali is not having a good time at the top of the order as well. So, if the management pushes Shafali down the order that can be an experiment worth trying. It might help her style of play as well with the license to go for the kill along with Pooja and Sneh down there."

"Even they can try Yastiak Bhatia at the top as well. She can be a surprise package for the opponent. Giving a break to Shafali might work well for her as well. But, I know the management will surely give her another chance."

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Along with all the fuss in batting bowling, it is the fielding that she thinks holds the key. "Fielding will be the key. We need to stop every boundary, every two and singles. The team with better fielding effort tomorrow will surely have the upper hand," Gargi Banerjee added.

India is currently at number three position on the Women's World Cup Points Table. Meanwhile, New Zealand is at number five on the table.