VISAKHAPATNAM: Indian batters are thrilled to be in the port city for their Women’s World Cup clash against South Africa. After navigating challenging surfaces in their initial matches in Guwahati and Colombo, Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her squad are eager to capitalize on the more favorable batting conditions expected here. The team aims to unleash their full potential on what promises to be a batter’s paradise.
Despite securing victories against Sri Lanka (by 59 runs) and Pakistan (by 88 runs), India’s batting performances have yet to truly impress. Much anticipation surrounded the in-form Smriti Mandhana, who previously notched consecutive centuries against Australia leading up to the World Cup. However, she has yet to find her rhythm in the tournament, managing only 31 runs across two matches. So far, no Indian batter has recorded a half-century, with Harleen Deol’s 48 against Sri Lanka being the highest individual score.
In critical moments, when India found themselves at 124 for six against Sri Lanka and 159 for five against Pakistan, it was the efforts of Harleen, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and Sneh Rana that rescued the innings. Smriti’s aggressive starts at the top are crucial for India’s success, and the ACA-VDCA Stadium presents an ideal opportunity for the left-handed opener to hit her stride and regain her customary flair.
Beyond batting, Deepti Sharma has been a standout performer, contributing significantly with 78 runs and six wickets across both wins. Young pacer Kranti Goud has also made a strong impression with the new ball. Although seasoned campaigner Renuka Thakur is still finding her rhythm post-injury, all eyes will be on local leg-spinner Shree Charani, who is set to make her international debut on home soil. All-rounder Amanjit Kaur, having recovered from a recent illness, is also available for selection.
Jemimah Rodrigues expressed her satisfaction with the team’s ability to find diverse match-winners. She remarked, “We haven’t played a perfect game yet, but we’ve won two out of two. This means different players have stepped up to contribute to the team’s success, which should certainly be a concern for our opponents.”
Meanwhile, the resurgent South African team poses a significant challenge. After a disappointing start where they were dismissed for just 69 by England, they bounced back with a dominant six-wicket victory over New Zealand in their second match. Opener Tazmin Brits was a key architect of that win, smashing a brilliant 101, well-supported by Sune Luus’s unbeaten 88, as they chased down the target comfortably in the 41st over. With captain Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp, the Proteas boast considerable batting firepower.
Considering the pitch conditions, spinners are expected to play a vital role as the match progresses. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba could prove to be particularly effective, while pacers like Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka will be keen to make their mark early on.