Mithali Raj says India need to work on forming partnerships, improve bowling after Australia thrashing

Mithali Raj said that Indian batters need to start building partnerships which will then give them the confidence to play fearless cricket after they lost to Australia by nine wickets in the first ODI.

India captain Mithali Raj said that the team needs to concentrate on building partnerships instead of looking to play "fearless cricket" and also need to work on their bowling. India suffered a nine-wicket hiding at the hands of Australia on Tuesday in the first match of a three-game ODI series.

India could only manage 225 for eight in an innings that never got the momentum it needed and then the hosts gunned down the target in 41 overs as India's bowling lacked the teeth to trouble them. Mithali, who completed 20,000 career runs, lamented that the batters could not build partnerships.