India’s batting has been a nagging fear all through the Ladies’s World Cup. Three video games in, and never as soon as has the highest order actually discovered its rhythm. Again and again, it is taken a rescue act to carry the innings collectively — Amanjot Kaur towards Sri Lanka, adopted by Richa Ghosh’s well timed interventions versus Pakistan and South Africa. With out these efforts, India might properly have been nonetheless looking for their first win of the event.
In opposition to Sri Lanka and Pakistan, India managed to paper over the cracks, however South Africa’s self-discipline and precision uncovered their fragility. The largest concern lies within the batting order, the place Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol — each proficient, each elegant — have struggled to shift gears. Their comparable, measured strategy has blunted India’s tempo simply when acceleration was wanted most.
Pratika’s innings towards South Africa Advised the story — a fluent begin of 25 off 18 balls adopted by 12 off the following 38 deliveries because the innings misplaced steam. Harleen, in the meantime, has been a narrative of unconverted begins, her dismissals coming simply when India wanted her to anchor or assault.
With the batting order nonetheless looking for steadiness and chew, the query lingers: of their quest for stability, did India miss a trick by leaving out Shafali Verma — a participant who might have offered each energy and unpredictability on the high?
India miss a trick
India’s choice to go away Shafali out of the World Cup squad has turn out to be an excellent larger speaking level. Since being ignored after the house ODI sequence towards New Zealand final yr, India went with Yastika Bhatia, who impressed throughout India A’s Australia tour.
When Yastika was dominated out, many anticipated Shafali to step in. As an alternative, India opted for Uma Chetry, but to make her ODI debut — a daring and shocking transfer. This leaves India in a tough spot. In the event that they need to tinker with the batting order, choices are restricted.
Uma Chetry has no substantial knocks within the WPL or in her restricted T20I appearances. Had Shafali been a part of the squad, her uncooked energy and skill to vary video games might have made her the plain alternative.
With out her, India face a dilemma: reshuffle the present lineup or take the high-risk gamble of handing Chetry an ODI debut on the World Cup stage.
India in for robust instances
India’s choice to go away Shafali Verma out appears much more questionable in hindsight. In a warm-up match towards New Zealand whereas representing India A, Shafali smashed 70 off 49 balls, steering her facet to a shocking victory over the White Ferns.
In opposition to top-class opposition, together with Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, and Eden Carson, her innings was unattainable to disregard. However by then, it was too late for India to incorporate her within the World Cup squad.
They could get one other probability provided that a present participant is dominated out.
For now, India should make do with what they’ve. After their loss to South Africa, the problem solely will get harder: they face a powerful Australian facet on Sunday, with a number of features of their sport nonetheless removed from convincing.
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