India ODI captain Mithali Raj admitted that the side was missing opener Smriti Mandhana after losing the first ODI to New Zealand by 62 runs on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smriti, along with pacers Renuka Singh and Meghna Singh, are still in the MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine) facility of the New Zealand government.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We are missing Smriti Mandhana and having an experienced batter in the side helps to chase a big target but it's an opportunity for the others in the side to sort of show their game," said Mithali in the post-match presentation ceremony.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chasing 275, India were never in the hunt to get over the line. Barring a partnership of 88 off 116 balls between Mithali (59) and Yastika Bhatia (41), the batting didn't step up to the occasion. Mithali stated that the batting has to be better.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We should be able to score 270 because that's the standard now in women's cricket. We need to have a certain run-rate to maintain through the innings so were able to score at least around 250 or 270 whether we bat first or chase."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked if India was short of match practice ahead of the series, Mithali remarked, "We definitely had a preparation camp, but there has been a huge gap between coming into New Zealand with extended quarantine in Mumbai and here as well."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She felt playing a series against the hosts before the women's Cricket World Cup will benefit them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It is important to get used to the conditions, it's in a way good that we are playing as series before the World Cup."
\r\nMithali signed off by outlining the positives and negatives from the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n