Hamilton, Mar 9 (PTI) After thrashing arch-rivals Pakistan in a one-sided encounter, India will face a tough challenge in hosts New Zealand and look to put up a better batting performance in their second ICC Women’s World Cup. League stage game here on Thursday.
The pitch at Hamilton’s Seddon Park is traditionally known as the batting belt and Mithali Raj and her team would look to do better against Sophie Devine’s White Ferns, who have done well in the recently concluded bilateral series.
More than the 1-4 loss margin, it was the fact that the Indians were outplayed in all departments, which must have been a matter of concern for head coach Ramesh Powar, who has been trying out different combinations.
What seemed like an easy move against a relatively weak Pakistan side may not have been possible against New Zealand, who have all the bases.
In fact, the Indians have already learned a harsh lesson in the last ODI series where they could not even defend the totals of 270 and 280.
But Shafali Verma’s return to form is something the team management is looking forward to as senior pacer Jhulan Goswami said in a pre-match conversation.
In the last seven matches, including a practice match, there were only fifty-six less scores than that.
“Shafali has already proved herself. She is a very exciting cricketer. But these things happen to every cricketer,” Goswami said in a virtual press conference ahead of the game against New Zealand here on Thursday.
“I’m sure she’s working really well in the nets, she’s batting really well in the nets, she’s hitting the ball really well.
“She is just a big innings away and if she gets a chance, I am sure she will do well,” she said.
Even skipper Mithali got stuck against Pakistan while Harmanpreet Kaur came out of the boil by saving a half-century in the inconsistent dead rubber against New Zealand.
India’s problems are often compounded by their inability to rotate strike in the middle overs, leaving way too much for slog overs, where they often do not have power hitters.
Smriti Mandhana is the mainstay of the batting and a big score from her is what the ‘Women in Blue’ need on Thursday.
India’s biggest strength is its all-rounders Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar, who can convert a poor performance into a spectacular final.
However, against New Zealand, who have Devine, Suzy Bates, Amy Sutherwait and Amelia Kerr, it will not be an easy task.
Goswami, who has been in excellent form for the past one year, needs support from the other end with steady performances from the likes of Meghna Singh and Vastrakar.
However, it will all depend on how well spinners Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Rana and Deepti bowl against New Zealand.
A good result will erase the nightmare of the recent ODI series.
Squads: 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.
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (capt), Amy Satterthwaite (VC), Suzy Bates, Maddie Greene, Brooke Holiday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Frances McKay, Rosemary Maier, Katie Martin, Georgia Plimer, Hannah Rowe, Lee tahuhu.
The match will start at 6.30 PM IST. PTI KHS PM PM PM