Windies ODI series important to improve ICC Rankings, says Mithali Raj

Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], Nov. 9 (ANI): As the Indian women's cricket team gears up to face West Indies in a six-match series---three One Day Internationals and three Twenty 20 fixtures---beginning from November 10, Mithali Raj, who will lead the team in the ODIs, has said that the series is important to gain some points and improve their position in the ICC Women's Rankings. "Last time, we played in Australia; we lost the series 1-2. So, it becomes even more important and imperative that we go into the series with more confidence and it is very important that we do look forward for the points since we are placed sixth in the table. It's very important for the Indian team to do well," Raj told reporters here. India played its last series in January/February in Australia which it lost 1-2 and since then has played no international matches in between. Speaking on the same, the Indian skipper said, "Ideally I would not prefer to have a long gap between the last series which we played in January and now we are playing the next one-day series in November. So, it's been a huge gap but since we got the domestic one-day matches played before this (series), it gets a little easier for us to slip into this format." On the other hand, West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor said that they would look to apply themselves and play well in the upcoming matches. "We are obviously very happy being back in India. There have been some great memories. We are really looking to play back here.We know how important these games are. We just have to go there and apply ourselves and get the job done," Taylor said. The ODIs will be held on November 10, 13 and 16 while the Twenty-20 ties will be held on November 18, 20 and 22. India Team: Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Thirush Kamini, Mona Meshram, Veda Krishnamurthy, Devika Vaidya, Deepti Sharma, Sushma Verma Jhulan Goawami, Shikha Pandey Sukanya Parida, Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bisht, Rajeswari Gayakwad. West Indies Team: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Anisa Mohammed, Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt. (ANI)