India’s Big Three Essential for Success as Challenging Matches Loom Ahead

India’s performance in the ongoing Women’s World Cup has not met expectations as they head toward the tournament’s halfway mark. Despite a promising start, their top order has struggled significantly, leaving the lower order to salvage the innings in all three matches.

Top Order Struggles

In their opening games, India managed victories, but faced a setback against South Africa. While many teams typically lose five to six wickets by the 25-over mark, India’s star trio of Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues have yet to achieve a half-century. This has contributed to their top five averaging just 23.13, which ranks lower than other semi-final contenders like England, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.

Lack of Half-Centuries

Among the eight teams competing, India is the only one without a score exceeding 50 from their top five batters through two matches. Their run rate places them third from the bottom in this category. So far in the tournament, Mandhana has posted scores of only 8, 23, and 23.

Recent Matches and Challenges

• Against South Africa, Mandhana faced a challenging pitch and struggled against Marizanne Kapp, ultimately holing out to Nonkululeko Mlaba.
• In practice sessions, she demonstrated dominant batting, reminiscent of her century against Australia.
• Rodrigues, who made her ODI World Cup debut, was dismissed by exceptional deliveries from both Sri Lanka’s Inoka Ranaweera and South Africa’s Chloe Tyron.

Rodrigues’ highest score in the tournament so far is 32 against Pakistan, which she achieved with some fortune after an overstep by bowler Diana Baig. Despite these challenges, she had established a strong ODI record prior to the World Cup.

Performance of Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet’s form has also been inconsistent. She played a crucial role in India’s win against Sri Lanka but faltered against Pakistan and South Africa. Critics noted her slow scoring against South Africa, where she managed only 9 runs from 23 balls before being dismissed.

Looking Ahead

The situation now intensifies as India prepares to face off against Australia and subsequently England, essential matches in the race for the semi-finals. It’s vital for Mandhana, Harmanpreet, and Rodrigues to perform effectively to avoid placing undue pressure on the lower-order batters, who have shown they can rescue the team in dire situations.

The outcome of the upcoming matches will significantly influence India’s chances in the Women’s World Cup. The team needs to focus on restoring their batting strength if they wish to advance further in the tournament.