Former captains Diana Edulji and Shantha Rangaswamy feel that the Indian women’s cricket team cannot afford to “blow hot and cold” in a big event like the ongoing World Cup and called for consistency in the batting department. After India’s two wins and as many losses to their name in the World Cup and a loss against England, they will face the mighty Australians on Saturday.
Edulji feels that a lot of changes are being made in the batting order. Deepti Sharma batted at three in the first two matches, before captain Mithali Raj replaced her at that position against West Indies and England.
Mithali, who has been the team’s most consistent batsman over the past 12 months, is yet to fire in the tournament, while Harmanpreet is back in form after a long, lean patch that saw her win against New Zealand before the World Cup. Was ruled out of the bilateral series. Cup.
Edulji, who last month called for Harmanpreet to be dropped from the playing XI, is happy that she was proved wrong by the senior batsman, who has scored a century and 50 for four in ICC events so far. Edulji wants Harmanpreet, who is batting on five, and opener Smriti Mandhana to get maximum time in between.
“When they (Harman and Smriti) are in form and have confidence, let them play as many overs as possible. They complement each other and they run well between the wickets. The opening pair (Smriti and Yastika) are fine as Shafali is not in form.
“Harmanpreet can bat at three if you want a left-handed right-arm combination, followed by Deepti and Mithali can control the innings at five if the top-order collapses.
“A lot of changes are being made at the moment. Tell the players that they are going to bat at this number, let them know that they are safe at that number. Harman has to bat better now because he is in form. Edulji “You can always be flexible in the last 20 overs like Richa and Pooja are being promoted, but your top four need to be steady.” PTI,
England, who had lost all three games before Wednesday, scored 317 against West Indies to bundle out India for 134 runs. “You can’t blow hot and cold like this,” Edulji said.
Rangaswamy also sought consistency from the batsmen but did not want to change the order of the game against Australia. Last year, India ended Australia’s 26-match winning streak, though they lost 1-2 in a close encounter. “Both Mithali and Deepti were among the first run-getters but they haven’t clicked in the tournament so far. Hopefully, these two, especially Mithali, will come under fire against Australia as she is the cornerstone of India’s batting.
“With Harman on top of memory and back in form, it is a good sign for India. Our bowlers have done well throughout the World Cup. “If they can beat Australia, they will overcome a huge psychological barrier,” Rangaswamy said.
“I don’t see any change in the batting order. Mithali has batted at three for most of her long career. I am sure she will come back between the runs. Harman, at number five, is ideal, the team should not put him at risk against a moving ball.
“When she’s going, she’s unstoppable. Really glad to see her back between runs. She was dropped from one of the games and it kicked her out. Everyone’s at some point in her career.” A shock is needed.”
Rangaswamy said that leg-spinner Poonam Yadav could be tried against South Africa and Bangladesh, but not against Australia as they “have figured it out”.
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