India beat Sri Lanka in the tri-series final by a comfortable margin of 97 runs in Colombo on May 11. While Indian bowlers did not let Sri Lanka stay alive in the run chase for long, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has expressed concerns over fast bowlers getting injured often. She wants the coaches to figure out why the pacers are getting injured and work on preventing them. Currently, the most prominent pacer who is injured ahead of the mega event is Renuka Singh Thakur.
"Proud of the entire team, especially the batters, we wanted to play good cricket, were looking to bat first if we win the toss and pretty happy with how we played," Harmanpreet said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
"We can never stop improving, lots of areas where we can keep doing better, be it batting, bowling or fielding. Our pacers keep getting injured, that's something we need to keep care of, the coaches are working on it."
In the tri-series, India were beaten only once. Hosts Sri Lanka beat India by three wickets. Harmanpreet's concern is valid as Indian pacers have not been potent in the tri-series, barring Amanjot Kaur who claimed six wickets from two games.
Harmanpreet lauds Rana
Smriti Mandhana scored her 11th ODI century, becoming third on the list of most centuries in the format. Harmanpreet did not just laud Mandhana but other batters as well along with spin-bowling all-rounder who claimed a four-wicket haul in the final.
"The way the other batters apart from Smriti and me, the way they batted was a big positive. The way Sneh Rana bowled was also a big positive. There are a lot of positives to talk about, but just want the enjoy the moment right now," the all-rounder said.
"Enjoyed the conditions here in Sri Lanka, we did struggle to get accustomed to the heat, but we then got used to it and nice to win this trophy," she added.
Rana was named 'player of the series' for taking 15 wickets from five games at an average of 14 including a five-wicket haul. Her economy rate of 4.74 runs per over was only second to her teammate Deepti Sharma (4.63).
"I'm very pleased to have contributed to the team. I've practiced very hard and I'm grateful. The plan was simple, stick to off-pace and yorker deliveries, spoke with the bowling coach and that worked. Pretty confident about myself and the team, everyone is coming up and taking up the challenge," Rana said.
India's next ODI challenge
India will now head to England for a limited-overs series featuring five T20Is followed by three ODIs. The ODI series will be played from July 16 to July 22. The series will help India identify the gaps they need to fill before the World Cup at home.