'India look to seal 2017 WC berth during NZ series'

Star medium-pacer Jhulan Goswami said India will look to get maximum points during the limited-overs series against New Zealand in their quest to qualify for the 2017 women's World Cup.

The five ODI and three-match T20 series is slated to being on June 28. Jhulan stresses the importance of winning the first three ODIs.

"It is very necessary to win first three matches to gain points in an effort to qualify for 2017 Women's World Cup," she said.

"ODIs have become important for them after ICC got into the points system," she added.

Replying to a query, Jhulan said, both are new sides and haven't played regularly as we play against Australia and England. It would be challenging for both teams. We have players who can win us matches."

The former skipper also insists that India will have the home advantage against a good Kiwi side.

"This New Zealand team is good, but we are playing on our home soil and we will take advantage of that," she said.

"We cannot predict the outcome of ODI series. It all depends on how you perform on a particular day," she added.

The veteran player also stressed on following the process for the best outcome.

"If we follow the process, result will come, but more than that we will play focused cricket and enjoy the game, then the result will follow," she said.

Keeping the monsoon season and the strength of the opposition in mind, Jhulan said that the think-tank will follow a wait and watch approach regarding the playing XI.

"Tomorrow they are playing against India A. We will see how the pitch behaves and thereafter the management will pick the best eleven," she said.

New Zealand Head Coach Haidee Tiffen said that the side is not only getting used to the weather but also trying to keep things simple.

"Condition wise we were trying to acclimatise the heat here - that is a challenge in itself. We are trying to keep things simple not over-dramatise things," she said.

Tiffen also praised the home team and their quality of players. "The series will be a well-fought one. India have some world class players."