Visakhapatnam, Oct 11 (NationPress) The recent loss against South Africa is merely a momentary setback, a single match where we did not perform to our potential, and it will not dictate our future. This is the mindset of the Indian women's cricket team following their surprising defeat in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup.

As they prepare to face the defending champions, Australia, in their upcoming match, which marks the tournament's halfway point, all-rounder Sneh Rana insists that the team will not dwell on the defeat. Instead, they will maintain a positive outlook, adhere to their strategies, and aim for a stronger performance in the matches ahead.

India experienced a three-wicket loss to South Africa at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam last Friday. After putting South Africa in a tough spot at 142/6 while chasing a target of 252 runs, India couldn’t capitalize on the situation. Chloe Tryon (49) and Nadine de Klerk (84*) turned the match around, with de Klerk aggressively targeting Indian bowlers in the final overs.

“We acknowledge that our bowling in the last three overs was not up to par. However, this defeat has not instilled panic within the team. Such occurrences are part of the game; some days the outcome isn’t in your favor. We have much to play for,” stated Sneh during a pre-match press briefing.

“We will remain optimistic and play an aggressive form of cricket. There are areas needing improvement, and we will train diligently to enhance our performance. There were numerous positives from our last match, including fielding, bowling, and pressure management. Thus, we will stick to our game plan and aim for better execution,” added the off-spinner from Dehradun.

The 31-year-old Sneh also downplayed concerns regarding the Indian batters’ struggles against left-arm spin, a challenge highlighted by South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba (2-46) and Chloe Tryon (3-32). In just three World Cup matches, India has lost 12 wickets to left-arm spinners, making them the team most affected by this type of bowling in ODIs since 2023.

“I don’t consider it a major issue. Our batters have successfully navigated such scenarios before, and fluctuations are part of the sport. We possess some of the finest batters globally, and I’m confident they will rebound effectively,” she expressed.

Sneh conveyed that confidence within the team is high, stemming from India’s recent victory over Australia in a bilateral series. “We’re entering the match with a positive mindset. We have been planning effectively, and everyone is clear on their roles. There’s clarity within the team, and thus, we’re optimistic.”

“We have triumphed over them in the past, and the win in the series preceding the World Cup will surely bolster our confidence. The World Cup presents a different stage, with unique pressures. We’ve analyzed Australia’s aggressive style over the years, but our strategies are well-defined. We have engaged in thorough discussions and crafted our plans, hoping to make a strong start,” added Rana.

Rana noted that their prior experience with the conditions in Visakhapatnam, having conducted a short training camp at the ACA-VDCA Stadium before the World Cup, is a favorable aspect.

“The camps were beneficial as they familiarized us with the ground's conditions, dimensions, and the speed at which the ball travels, aiding our fielding. Additionally, understanding the pitch behavior after the first innings has proven useful. Therefore, the camp has indeed enhanced our preparation.”

“We’ve encountered such situations before and know how to handle them. While occasionally things may not proceed as planned, I am pleased with our bowlers; they brought the match to the final over and adapted well. Although we could have performed better in the last five overs, we remain optimistic for the upcoming match,” she concluded.