India ODI captain Mithali Raj has encouraged the presence of a sports psychiatrist in the women’s national team. Currently on a long tour of New Zealand which will move into the Women’s ODI World Cup starting on 4 March.
“In today’s times, it is even more important to have them around with the team with the longer duration of tour and quarantine and bubbles,” the Indian captain said on the eve of the lone T20I match against New Zealand.
The Indian women’s team has been through some testing times since the 2017 World Cup with multiple changes in coaching positions. It was speculated that the senior players were not on good terms with Mithali Raj. However, that seems to be a thing of past as a full-strength Indian team is scheduled to lock horns against New Zealand to start their preparations for the World Cup.
“It is an extended tour of two months with the ODI series and the World Cup. It does help to have one on one sessions with (sports psychologist),” Raj said.
The captain further added that the presence of a trained person helps her to put things in perspective and look at things from a different point of view. “You see things in a different way and it helps you to understand your own self, to find your own ways to deal with pressure and quarantine. To have somebody is always helpful.”