Raj confident but remains wary of Australia

Mithali Raj: 'Australia remains the team to beat because of the professionalism and approach they bring with them' © Bipin Patel

India captain Mithali Raj believes her team can carry forward its winning momentum from last year's Asia Cup into the upcoming quadrangular series in Chennai. But she feels the world champions Australia remain a real threat to that momentum along with England and New Zealand in the four-cornered event.

India won the Asia Cup in December, going unbeaten through the tournament against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and Raj feels that form will stand her side is good stead in the upcoming series.

"We played good competitive cricket in the last tournament and I think if we carry forward the same impetus, we stand a very good chance of doing even better in this competition," said Raj who has played eight Tests and 86 one-day internationals.

"The quadrangular series is the toughest series after the World Cup and every team will be well prepared. But I think Australia remains the team to beat because of the professionalism and approach they bring with them."

India will obviously benefit from the tournament taking place on home soil and that's important because its track record at home has been far more impressive than its performance on the road. Besides the Asia Cup triumph in Jaipur last December that earned it a hat-trick of titles, they beat England 4-1 in a five-match series in December 2005 and also drew the one-off Test against the same opponents.

"Our improved performance at home has much to do with the home conditions and the home crowd which has been very supportive," said Raj. "But we are a team that is gradually improving and if we manage to combine our individual brilliance then we can be a very dangerous side.

"We have to pounce on every opportunity that comes our way. The other three competitors have a rich history and experience behind them, and the only way to do better against them is to capitalize on every opportunity which surely will come our way."

Raj, who can boast a score of 214 against England in a Test match, believes every match before the 2009 Women's World Cup in Australia is vital the team's build-up and preparations.

"It provides us an opportunity to assess our preparations and progress. Basically we are a team in transition and trying to gain experience with each match," she added.

"I believe this is the best that is happening to women's cricket in India that the top three teams are coming here. Not only we will get an opportunity to learn from their experiences, but women's cricket in India will get a significant boost. Cricket is the flavour of the season and I am hoping we all will benefit from it."

Raj pointed out 16-year-old left-handed opener Thirush Kamini is the player to watch for in the competition. "I have no doubt that she is a future star. She is immensely talented and a hard working girl. I know how eagerly she is waiting for the series to start because she will be playing in front of her home crowd."

Kamini made headlines in the Asia Cup, her debut series, in which she walked away with the Player-of-the-Tournament award following a brilliant allround performance when she scored 135 runs and took eight wickets with her legbreaks.

The quadrangular series will run in Chennai between February 21 and March 5 with each team playing the three other line-ups twice. India opens against England at Chepauk.