Just days after a stunning performance by Nadine de Klerk snatched victory from India in their match against South Africa at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam, captain Harmanpreet Kaur was left to quietly reflect on her team’s recent struggles.
It was a match that India’s renowned batting lineup should have comfortably won long before their fielding unit even took to the pitch.
However, their top order once again crumbled, much like in previous encounters against Sri Lanka in Guwahati and Pakistan in Colombo. With defending champions Australia up next on Sunday, there’s little time for India to regroup.
Australia, the top-ranked team, has been rescued by centuries from Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney in their matches against New Zealand and Pakistan, highlighting the immense depth in their batting lineup. Despite this, captain and opening batter Alyssa Healy has indicated that her team isn’t planning to adopt a conservative approach early in their innings.
Healy explained, “The PowerPlay remains a vital phase in this World Cup. While some teams have managed to exert pressure during the middle overs, I still believe that a strong start and establishing a solid foundation are absolutely crucial, whether you’re setting a big total or chasing one down. It’s definitely a delicate balancing act.”
Similarly, India has heavily relied on their middle order to salvage their innings in every game this tournament. A concerning statistic reveals that India’s top five batters average a mere 23.13, significantly lower than the SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) nations – a clear indicator of their struggle.
Against Australia’s formidable and adaptable bowling attack, another top-order collapse could prove fatal for India. The increasing number of dot balls (127 vs Sri Lanka, 172 vs Pakistan, 184 vs South Africa) is yet another worrying trend for the Women in Blue.
Given these challenges, a re-evaluation of India’s team composition might be necessary before this critical encounter, especially as they currently field only five recognized bowling options. Harmanpreet herself had to step in as the sixth bowler during the match against South Africa.
Facing an Australian side that boasts strength in both batting and bowling, India would do well to consider bringing in additional reinforcements to bolster their lineup.