Indian women tough to beat at home: Charlotte Edwards

India's women cricketers may not be world beaters but are a tough bunch at home, feels England captain Charlotte Edwards ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup to be held here from January 31 to February 17. "India is a team that is very good in its own conditions; we've never won an ODI series out there. Players to watch include Mithali Raj. Without a doubt, she has been a supreme batter for India over many years," Edwards said.

"Goswami leads their attack, she may be best bowler in the world. And India has great spinners, they are a team against which you have to play your best," said Edwards, who is to compete in her fifth successive Cup after leading England to their title in Australia four years ago. England are in Group A with India, the West Indies and Sri Lanka. With regards to her group, Edwards said: "We're in a tough group and we know it, but we will prepare ourselves accordingly.

She saw the tournament as her side's biggest challenge in recent times and said the team has played a lot in India recently which was an advantage. "We see the World Cup as a real challenge. Playing and winning in India will be the biggest challenge we've been up against in recent times, hence the reason for training so hard.

"We have all been fortunate to play a lot in India recently, which certainly helps. It's a World Cup, it only comes around every 4 years, so this is a really exciting challenge for the team," she said.Three-time champions England will start their defence by taking on Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium on February 2 and will later face West Indies and hosts India in their bid to make the Super Sixes section of the tournament.

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