The Indian women’s cricket team has arrived in Visakhapatnam with high hopes for their upcoming World Cup clash against South Africa. After navigating challenging pitches in their initial two matches in Guwahati and Colombo, Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her squad are eager to capitalize on the batting-friendly conditions expected in the port city.
While India secured victories against Sri Lanka (by 59 runs) and Pakistan (by 88 runs), their batting performances haven’t been entirely convincing. Pre-tournament focus was heavily on Smriti Mandhana, whose back-to-back centuries against Australia hinted at a prolific World Cup campaign. However, Mandhana, and indeed the entire Indian batting lineup, is yet to hit top gear, with no player scoring a half-century so far. Harleen Deol’s 48 against Sri Lanka stands as the highest individual score, and Mandhana herself has managed only 31 runs across two games.
The lower order, including Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and Sneh Rana, had to step up to rescue India after a shaky start against both Sri Lanka (124/6) and Pakistan (159/5). The team desperately needs Smriti Mandhana to find her rhythm at the top, and the ACA-VDCA Stadium presents an ideal opportunity for the talented left-hander to unleash her full potential.
All-rounder Deepti Sharma has been a standout performer, contributing 78 runs and taking six wickets in the two matches. Young pacer Kranti Goud also showed promise with the new ball. While seasoned bowler Renuka Thakur is still finding her form after returning from injury, local leg-spinner Shree Charani is set to make a memorable home debut. Additionally, all-rounder Amanjit Kaur, who sat out the Pakistan match due to illness, is now fit for selection.
Jemimah Rodrigues expressed confidence in India’s diverse talent pool, noting, “Even without a perfect performance, we’ve secured two wins. This shows that various players are stepping up and contributing to the team’s success, which should certainly concern our opponents.”
However, India faces a significant challenge from a resurgent South African squad. After a shaky start where they were dismissed for just 69 by England, the Proteas showcased their strength with a dominant six-wicket victory over New Zealand.
Their resurgence was led by opener Tazmin Brits, who scored a magnificent 101, and Sune Luus, who remained unbeaten on 88, guiding their team to a comfortable win in the 41st over. With captain Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp also in their ranks, South Africa boasts a formidable batting lineup.
As the match unfolds, the pitch is expected to offer more assistance to spinners. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba could prove to be a crucial asset, while pacers Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka will also be looking to make their mark.