Olympics Begin In
:
Days
:
Hours
:
Mins
 
Secs
Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Cricket

Fan's Corner: How far can India go at Women’s T20 World Cup?

In this series of Fan's Corner fans of The Bridge write on Women's T20 World Cup which is being hosted in Australia. The first article of the series comes from Ritwika Dhar where she analyses the Indian squad and its chances at the mega event.

Fans Corner: How far can India go at Women’s T20 World Cup?
X
By

Ritwika Dhar

Published: 21 Feb 2020 6:56 AM GMT

The carnival of women's cricket, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup is upon us. It is being held in Australia a country which adores its cricket. The tournament promises to be one of the grandest in the history of Women’s cricket. Six grounds - the SCG, MCG, WACA, the Sydney Showground Stadium, the Manuka Oval in Canberra, and the Junction Oval in Melbourne- have been chalked out for the mega event. And the grand final will be hosted on 8 March which is also celebrated across the world as International Women’s Day. The two competing teams in the final will play at MCG and a crowd of over 90, 000+ is expected on the D-Day. Ten teams - Australia, England, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh and, for the first time, Thailand – are in fray for the coveted trophy.

MCG (Image: MCG twitter) Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the final of Women's T20 World Cup on 8 March. (Image: MCG twitter)

Near misses

In its last two appearances in ICC events team India have impressed with its performances and only went down in crucial matches. In the 50-over World Cup of 2017 India lost a close final to England and the T20 World Cup of 2018 the team lost its semi-final clash against eventual champions Australia. The question that now beckons everyone is that can the team go the full distance this time around and create history by winning their first ICC trophy?

Let's find out.

Also Read: Look back at India’s World T20 journey ahead of campaign in Australia

A strong group – The Group of Death

India are placed in Group A alongside six-time champions Australia, New Zealand, Asia Cup champions Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Might of Southern Stars is well known. New Zealand are known to spring surprise. In 2018, Bangladesh stunned India in a nail biting final to be crowned as the champions of the Asia. India won’t have easy in the “Group of Death”.

Will spin deliver wins?

Batting wins you the matches. Bowling wins you tournaments.

Poonam Yadav (Image: Women CricZone) Poonam Yadav (Image: Women CricZone)

As far as India's bowling is concerned, their chances of success will heavily rely on the spinners. The star leg spinner Poonam Yadhav will lead the spin attack alongside the orthodox off-spinner Deepti Sharma. Rajeshwari Gayakwad has emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded tri-series which also featured England and Australia. But it is Radha Yadav, who could prove to be the ‘X-factor’ player because of her versatility in bowling and her lightning fielding. In the fast bowling department, experienced Shikha Pandey is the obvious choice, but there are concerns when it comes to the second seamer options. Vastrakar could make her way into the playing XI regardless of her bowling form because she is a handy batter as well. To sum up India's bowling department looks settled and India will bank upon this strength in close matches.

Unpredictable but dynamic batting

Shafali Verma ( Image: ICC) Shafali Verma ( Image: ICC)

India's batting line up is young, dynamic and 'unpredictable'. India has always had a top-heavy batting line-up with a vulnerable, inexperienced middle order. In crunch situations the batting tends to collapses under pressure. India's opening pair could prove decisive which would have be a mix of Smriti Mandhana’s class and Shafali Verma's fearlessness. Use of the powerplay by the opening pair will be important. Mandhana has to play the anchor role and stay at the crease for at least 15 overs. Mandhana’s long presence in the middle is much needed. The middle-order features the troika of Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy. The middle order has been off-colour and the three key players need to come back in to form. Richa Ghosh, the young prodigy is a ‘3-D’ player. She is a genuine power hitter of the ball, a part time seam bowling option and if need be can keep wickets too. She could be the surprise weapon for team India. All-rounders Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey and Pooja Vastrakar’s contributions with the bat is something the team will bank on if the top order fails.

So which players make it to the playing XI?

Here is my playing XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy, Taniya Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav and Poonam Yadav.

Will lack of veterans hurt?

Mithali Raj (Image: ICC) Mithali Raj (Image: ICC)

There will be times in the tournament when the team will miss the the experience of the veterans like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. But this team is young, strong and energetic. This very team in recent past has defeated Australia and England in foreign conditions. So, the expectations are high. The Women in Blue are definitely one the contenders to lift the prized trophy come 8 March at MCG. They just have to win the big moments and have to hold the nerves in the crunch situations. If they play to their strengths and according to their assigned roles, there will be favourable results for this young brigade.

We can expect at least a semi-final spot. Hoping that the delivers more than expected and go all the way to win its maiden ICC title.

Next Story