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ICC WOMEN'S WORLD CUP, 2017

Cricbuzz StaffLast updated on Wed, 19 Jul, 2017, 04:56 PM

"We've played a lot of the group stage here, four games, so we are aware of the conditions and that is our advantage" - Mithali Raj Getty

Ahead of a tough knockout game against Australia on Thursday (July 20), India captain Mithali Raj feels her side's know-how of the venue - Derby - will be an advantage. Four of India's five wins have come in Derby, including the one against England that got the ball rolling for Raj's side in the tournament.

"We've played a lot of the group stage here, four games, so we are aware of the conditions and that is our advantage," Raj said ahead of the match.

Familiarity of conditions alone, however, will not be enough for India to upstage the six-time champions. Australia have been clinical all through the tournament, losing just one of their group-stage games.

Each of their victories have been convincing ones, and the defeat - against table-toppers England - was a final-over affair. Raj remains mindful of the quality of her opposition, as well as the ability of the Australian players to thrive in high-pressure situations.

"But Australia is a very good side. They won the last edition of this tournament and they have a lot of players who have played in high-pressure games," Raj said.

The Indian team may not boast of similar quality on paper, but is still a group on the rise. Having been beaten comprehensively by Australia (by 8 wickets) only a week ago, Raj knows the herculean task that she and her side faces and what a victory will mean.

"For this Indian team, it is going to be a big game and if we can pull out one win, it will be exceptional by the team. How the players play the situation is important because having said that Derby is [like] our home ground, you need to perform on that day to win," Raj opined.

The winner of Thursday's game will face hosts England in the final of the tournament.

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Mithali Raj banks on India's Derby 'advantage' - Cricbuzz