Team India’s chances of making it to the semis of the World Cup 2025 have improved considerably, after the New Zealand vs Pakistan match in Colombo was a washout. That means the White Ferns have 3 points from five matches, while India has four from four. So, a win against England on Sunday could just seal the deal for them, not officially, but in all practicality.
And hence, this match vs England is so much more important. India, still a decent side, from what they have showed in the World Cup, have a big point to prove. That they can beat any side in the world. And for that, they need to get their house in order.
Team India Needs Six Bowling Options
Even though the bowling unit has largely been good, but then the team just cannot rely on five bowlers. After a point, this ploy gets monotonous, and just one partnership can hamper all the good work by the bowlers — which was the case even in the South Africa encounter. A bowler can have an off day — and a backup is a must.
Against AUS, Sneh Rana went for 85 runs on the day, and India did not have the luxury of calling in another bowler. So, still, it would be a tough call, who to sit out, but it would still have to be taken. It could either be Harleen Deol or Jemimah Rodrigues for Renuka Thakur, or Radha Yadav.
The Charlotte Edwards Factor
England head coach Charlotte Edwards coached MI in the WPL until recently, where Harmanpreet Kaur was the skipper, while Nat Sciver-Brunt happens to be her VC. So, the current ENG coach and the captain, know the Indian team’s mindset quite well. So it is only fair that Harmanpreet surprises the English women.
Perhaps, batting-wise, the best ploy will be to come at no. 3 herself instead of Harleen Deol. She can play at a better rate than the latter, who is sometimes guilty of reducing the run-rate after a wicket falls.
Bowlers Need to Come to the Party
For two matches on the trot, the Indian bowlers have failed as a unit. They had SA against the wall, and then against AUS, had their fair chances too. But then, somehow they have failed to be effective to a point, where they take all 10 wickets; and that is the modern-day game’s requirement. To beat a top side, you need to bundle them out, especially while defending a total.
Full Squads
India Women Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Uma Chetry.
England Women Squad: Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Em Arlott, Sarah Glenn, Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge.
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