'I am extremely disappointed at not being a part of the World Cup squad' - Punam Raut

Team India squad announced for the upcoming Women’s World Cup and the series against New Zealand on Thursday. While there was no surprise in the selection regarding new faces, the exclusion of experienced top-order batter Punam Raut, bowling all-rounder Shikha Pandey and youngster Jemimah Rodrigues made headlines.

Meanwhile, Raut has expressed her disappointment on social media, saying “it is very disheartening to be continuously left out.”

Notably, Punam Raut was a part of the ODI squads for the England and Australia series last year and also played in the last edition of the World Cup when India finished as runners-up after losing to England in 2017. In the six ODIs that she has played in 2021, she has scored 295 runs, including a century, which came at an average of 73.75.

“Having being considered amongst the experienced batsmen and a consistent run scorer for India, I am extremely disappointed at not being a part of the World Cup squad,” Raut wrote on Twitter.

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She continued: “In 2021, I averaged 73.75, scoring 295 runs which included a hundred and two half centuries in the six ODI games that I played. It is very disheartening to be continuously left out even after performing. Having said that, I would like to extend my best wishes to all the players who will be representing India.”

“It is very disheartening to be continuously left out even after performing” – Punam Raut

Punam Raut has so far scored 2299 runs in 73 ODIs which came at an average of 34.83. And she has played three ODI World Cups and four T20I World Cups as well. However, earlier she has also been criticized for her slow strike rate and often got replaced by youngsters as well. Even in 2018, young Rodrigues replaced her in the ODI squad as the team management wanted to groom young players.

However, Raut has improved her strike rate to 68.92 in 2021. Earlier it was 56.96 before 2021.

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“I don’t think too much about strike rate. I focus on my contribution to the team,” Raut had said during the ODI series against South Africa in March last year as well. “As for making comebacks [as I have in the past], it is important to stay mentally strong. There are people who tell me that my strike rate is low, but I don’t let it worry me. I keep working on my game.”

As far as her central contract is concerned, in 2021, Raut moved up to Group B as well. However, Raut was India’s top-run getter and scored 86 against England in the 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s. She has amassed 2,299 ODI runs from 73 matches, including three centuries and 15 half-centuries. Only time can tell if her exclusion will be helpful for the team or the decision will backfire.