6 March - Tauranga - India players Pooja Vastraker and Sneh Rana post-match press conference

Reporter: Well done today on the victory you guys combined for an excellent partnership to save the innings - what was said between you two in trying to get the innings back on track?

Pooja: Actually, our top order collapsed so we decided to take on the charge and we decided to change and rotate the strike. The pitch was slow so our plan was to focus on singles and doubles at the start.

Reporter: Hi, congratulation on brilliant performance. When you were building the partnership, what was plan between two of you because you had lost early wickets. What helped you to build such amazing partnership?

Pooja: We talked to each other that we both are left only who are proper batters so we need to play good game. We planned to get over 180-200 runs target.

Reporter: I needed to know that you normally come to bat in death overs but today you got so many overs and needed to build the partnership. So I wanted to know that how different was your approach today.

Pooja: It’s not the case. We are always ready to play in any situation. Talking about approach, we switch our approach according to condition’s demand. Today after so long, we had opportunity to play more overs and build the partnership so we played according to situation’s demand.

Reporter: Hi, Congratulation and well played. I want to ask question from Pooja. After New Zealand series, you practiced a lot to bat in last 10 overs. How it helped you today to utilize your experience in building the inning first and then accelerating in last overs.

Pooja: We lost early wickets. We were the last batting pair and afterwards, we had only bowlers. So, we planned to play basic cricket till 45th over and then accelerate in last 5 overs.

Reporter: Hi, Congratulation Pooja. After New Zealand series, a debate was going on that Indian spin department is not performing well as it is supposed to. What are your thoughts about it after today’s match as Rajeshwari took 4 wickets, you took 2 wickets and Deepti took 1 wicket? So, overall spin unit performed well today. So, were there any discussion prior to this match that conditions would suit spin bowling unit.

Pooja: New Zealand series was played after a long gap due to COVID-19 which obviously affected the game of players. We then were getting used to open ground conditions. Slowly and gradually when we started playing, we adapted ourselves according to conditions. You can see the results of this hardwork in today’s match.

Reporter: I want to ask question from Sneh Rana. In previous matches, you used to bat with Pooja and watch her going big from opposite end. But today you both built a partnership. Please comment on it.

Sneh Rana: I know Pooja since long and she is very good at rotating the strike. In domestic cricket when she was playing against me and to be honest I was thinking that if she continues to play like this, she will win the final match as well. Luckily, that was our day and we grabbed the victory. However, today we discussed with each other that we are good at rotating the strike and we are the last batting pair. We planned to take game close and deep. Congratulation to her on being declared as women of the match and Good luck.

Reporter: Sneh keeping in view your performance along with Pooja, Could we expect you both playing in top order in upcoming matches?

Sneh: This decision depends upon team management. However, we aim to play at any position where our team needs us. If given opportunity to bat in top order, then obviously we will avail it and play our role in team victory.

Reporter: As you spoke earlier that when team was announced for world cup then it was a very emotional moment for you to be the part of this team. How are you feeling now after you have played a major role in team victory in big match,

Sneh: Indeed it was an emotional moment to represent your team in world cup. It was my dream to represent my country as part of world cup team. And yes, finally this moment came in my life. And if you perform when your team needs it then it becomes more valuable moment. So, I am feeling very satisfied today.

Reporter: If you both could answer this question please. A psychologist joined your team, how it helped to make things better. Pooja you have faced too many injuries, you performed well in Australia. Did it helped you personally, the joining of psychologist in the team. Please comment on it.

Pooja: Yes, she is with us since England tour and I used to talk with her often. My England tour did not go well. During Australia tour, she helped me to gain positivity. When we are angry with ourselves, we have few questions stuck in our mind. We know the answers but we don’t know the tricks to tackle it. So, she helped me to sort out these issues.

Sneh: As Pooja said, she is connected with us since long however, we could not talk much online. So, when she is with us – obviously, we all players have to face ups and downs in our career. It is stressful when you are not able to perform for your team. But we got many positive vibes from our psychologist and she handled everything very well to help us out to overcome the stressed situation during our career. In my view, her presence is positive thing for our team.

Reporter: I want to know your comments about Richa Gosh. She was amazing behind the wickets in today’s match.

Pooja: You all have seen her playing. She is very talented player. We are working on her and she has improved her wicket keeping skills during her last two series. You all can see the improvements from her today’s match performance.

She is a talented player and she has been working hard. She is improving herself match by match. In coming times, she will be even better.

Reporter: My question is about Shafali. Her performance and scores have not been convincing since last few matches. We already know team management and psychologist are working with her to keep her positive. Can you please elaborate us about her? She is young and very talented. As a team how are you supporting her?

Pooja: As far as Shafali is concerned, her past record has been excellent. She performed whenever team required it from her. We can understand that every player faces ups and downs during her career. We never allowed her to go into shell rather we are trying to keep her motivated. Our team psychologist is working with her. I hope she will perform well in upcoming matches.

Reporter: Thank you all and thanks for being here and the translation and translated versions will be available online two hours from now straightaway. Thank you