India’s top-order batters will have to raise the level of their game against a rejuvenated South Africa in a crucial ICC Women’s World Cup match against the Proteas here on Thursday.
A glance at the points table shows India at the second position, but the hosts can slip to third if Australia beat Pakistan on Wednesday in Colombo with two wins from as many games.
India hope Smriti Mandhana, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and the energetic Jemimah Rodrigues to be among the runs. The three faltered against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, forcing India to rely on Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma.
India were 124 for six against Lanka and 159 for five against Pakistan, and each of those situations could have been more perilous if the late order batters had not stuck on. A repetition of the script will be disastrous against a more well-equipped side like South Africa, and India need a better contribution from their star troika in this game.
If the result does not go in India's favour, it will not only endanger their position on the points table, but will push them to a tighter corner against champions Australia on October 12. Though the Indian management will see the positive side in the outings so far, winning without a major hand from their star batters, but deep down, they will also accept the need for runs from Mandhana, Harmanpreet and Rodrigues that can be the difference between a good total and winning total against top sides like South Africa or Australia.
But on the other hand, the bowlers have delivered consistently so far for India. Deepti Sharma tops the wicket-takers’ chart with six scalps, while she received splendid support from fellow spinners Sneh Rana and Sree Charani and pacer Kranti Gaud, who have been quite impressive.
India will also be monitoring the recovery of pace-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, who missed the match against Pakistan with “illness”, and, if fit, she will replace Renuka Singh Thakur in the eleven. Amanjot also offers a very handy batting option down the order. India will require all their options ready against the Proteas.
Also read: Harmanpreet says win over Lanka wasn’t easy
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