Starting a new era in 50-over cricket without the peerless Mithali Raj, the newly-appointed skipper Harmanpreet Kaur will seek an improved performance across departments from his players as India women eye a winning start against hosts Sri Lanka in a three-match series, starting Friday.

India will be without their two pillars – Mithali, who retired from cricket earlier this month, and Jhulan Goswami, who is nursing a side strain.

“It is new journey for me also,” Harmanpreet, who was handed the ODI captaincy after Mithali retired, said at the pre-match press conference.

“My main motive is to improve our fitness and fielding. These are the two areas where I personally want the team to do well in,” she added.

The batters struggled on the slow track at Dambulla, unable to breach the 140-run mark in all three T20Is and the likes of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma would hope for a better and consistent show in the 50-over format.

The last time India played a 50 over match was during the World Cup in March, when they failed to qualify for the semi-finals.

Harmanpreet herself has been in good touch. After finishing as the highest run-getter for India in the T20 series, it will auger well for India if the skipper can continue her top form alongside all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar.

Match starts: 10 am IST