India’s underperforming top order would be keen to show more intent to get the team’s campaign back on track against the dreaded West Indies in the third league match of the ICC Women’s World Cup in Hamilton on Saturday.
Currently ranked fifth after a 62-run loss to New Zealand, India would like to get back on the winning track as back-to-back defeats can lead to a loss in pace, especially as they play one game after another on the bounce. be.
The likes of Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj, young Yastika Bhatia and all-rounder Deepti Sharma were criticized for not moving on against New Zealand for India’s target of 261 and Harmanpreet Kaur’s 62-ball 71 notwithstanding. happened. Got out for 62 runs.
It is understood that Shafali Verma, despite her ‘blow hot, blow cold’ form, will be back in the playing XI, and will be expected to pace the innings, which Yastika Bhatia failed to do in the previous game.
In the last game against the White Ferns, the Indian batsmen played 162 dot balls equaling 27 overs and the match was as good as they scored only 50 runs in the first 20 overs.
Head coach Ramesh Powar was very blunt and critical of the team’s performance against the likes of Stafanie Taylor, Diandra Dottin and Anissa Mohamed on the eve of the game.
He said, ‘I think it was one of those days when things did not go our way and to be honest, I was also surprised by the way we batted for 20 overs. (But) if you look at the last six matches that we have played against New Zealand, we were executing our plans well,” Powar told reporters before his game.
Mithali playing her last tournament is in very poor form and even Mandhana has put a lot of pressure on players like Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana.
No wonder, coach Powar has made it clear that he wants the seniors to accept more responsibility.
“I think it’s pressure, I think about the World Cup but I don’t want to give any excuse. This is the right time to raise our hand and perform because we have been training for the last six months.”
“We’ve been to England, Australia, we’ve been to New Zealand early, so we’ve got every practice opportunity that was needed, so it’s time to stand up as a group and deliver,” no one jealous in his voice. can guess. ,
One of the poor calls by the Neetu David-led selection committee is not to include opener S Meghna, who showed a lot of spark in his comeback ODI series against New Zealand.
She was mid the ball well and unfortunately didn’t make it to the World Cup squad, which was selected long back.
For West Indies, it has been a decent start to the tournament and skipper Taylor wants another inspiring performance from his women’s band, who defended an average of 225 against defending champions England in the previous game.
Taylor’s biggest advantage is her multiple bowling options and she was able to use eight bowlers in the last match against England.
While Dottin’s aerial catch to dismiss Lauren Winfield-Hill was the highlight of the Windies’ show against England, what would caution the Indians is the fact that the Caribbean successfully defended twice in two matches against the White Ferns and England. has done.
The bowling attack of Shamilia Connell, Shakira Selman, Chinelle Henry and Anissa are capable of putting constant pressure on the opposition batsmen and it will not be easy for India.
teams
India: Mithali Raj (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Rich Ghosh (wk), Taniya Bhatia (wk), Sneh Rana, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Jhulan Goswami , Renuka Singh.
West Indies: Stephanie Taylor (capt), Anissa Mohammed (vice-captain), Aaliyah Allen, Shemaine Campbell, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Effie Fletcher, Cheri Ann Fraser, Chinelle Henry, Kissia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chadian Nation, Karisma Ramharack, Shakira Selman , Rashda Williams.
The match will start at 6:30 am IST.
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