Harmanpreet Kaur looking to build a new team after Mithali's departure

India women's team ODI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has claimed that the team will miss the irreplaceable Mithali Raj.

While speaking to the reporters prior to the team's departure to Sri Lanka, where they will play six white-ball games, the newly appointed skipper paid tribute to the ex-Indian women's team captain, who announced her retirement from international cricket on June 8. 

Kaur feels that no one will be able to fill the void of Mithali Raj in the team, but they will look to work on the team and the combinations.

"Well, we all know she has done great for women's cricket, and nobody will be able to fill this place. We are working on our team where we can create some great combinations. But regarding Mithali Di (Mithali Raj), I don't think there's anyone who can take her place. We will all miss her in the dressing rooms and the things she has done," Harmanpreet Kaur said at a virtual press conference on Saturday (June 18).

After taking the reins from Mithali in white ball cricket, Harmanpreet's first assignment as the full-time skipper will be in Sri Lanka. The women's team is slated to play three T20 Internationals and as many ODI matches before they play in the T20 cricket's inaugural edition at the Commonwealth Games in England.

Kaur shared her thoughts on the upcoming tour, and without the likes of Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and Shikha Pandey, Kaur looks at the situation as an opportunity to build a team.

"For us, I think it is a good tour to start because for the first time we will be playing without our senior players. Great opportunity for us to build a team. We have done great preparation during this NCA camp, and we are looking forward to the Sri Lanka tour,"

With one eye on the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the T20 World Cup next year, Harmanpreet wants to field the strongest possible team in T20Is, while she feels the ODI team will need some time to be rebuilt.

"In T20s, we will definitely look to [play] our first combination, give them as many games as possible. In the ODIs, we have a little time to prepare for the next World Cup [in 2025], and it is where we will see if we can give a chance to each and everybody,"

The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka comprises three T20Is and as many ODIs, with the first T20I scheduled for June 23 in Dambulla.