A stellar effort by senior stars can be obligatory when India takes on New Zealand of their opening Group A match of the ladies’s T20 World Cup in Dubai on Friday (October 4, 2024), aiming for a robust begin of their quest to wipe off the reminiscences of previous near-misses.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who in all chance, will likely be showing in her final T20 World Cup, has been witness to a number of close to misses and disappointing moments from shut quarters, together with India’s capitulation to Australia within the closing at Melbourne in 2020.
As a has been prior to now, this Indian line-up is wealthy in expertise and, arguably, solely Australia have a equally well-oiled unit.
However the reigning champions have six titles of their cupboard, and India’s remains to be dust-laden.
So, what pegs India again in world occasions? It appears extra a case of psychological fragility at clutch moments, and the Girls in Blue tried to handle that in a preparatory camp on the NCA (Nationwide Cricket Academy) with a number of counselling periods.
However such exterior measures can solely be of restricted assist in huge tournaments, because it boils down totally to flawless execution of methods on a given day.
In that context, India is not going to get a greater opponent than New Zealand, which isn’t a fancied facet like its Trans-Tasman neighbour. However the two-time runners-up are as powerful as nails.
A victory in opposition to them may properly be counted as an indication of being in superb form — tactically and mentally — and that is a pre-requisite for India in a bunch that additionally has Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
To start out with, India would require heavy contributions from their high weapons — the 35-year-old Harmanpreet, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma.
Amongst them, Shafali and Mandhana have been in wonderful contact, making runs of their final worldwide outing within the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in July despite the fact that India misplaced to the hosts within the closing.
The truth is, Mandhana’s final 5 T20I innings embrace three fifties.
However Harmanpreet and Shafali have been a tad underwhelming and the duo discovering vary is crucial for India’s cost on the high and center order.
It’s vital to India’s possibilities because the pitches within the UAE, going by way of a harsh warmth wave, won’t be a treasure trove of runs, notably deep into the match.
Nonetheless, the anticipated weariness of the observe, in a method, will cater to India’s strengths within the bowling division — spin.
They’ve solely three pacers of their squad — Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy.
In all chance, India will solely play two of them, whereas relying on a plethora of spinners of their line-up.
India has distinctive selection in that division. The assault will likely be marshalled by off-spinners Deepti and Shreyanka Patil, leg-spinner Asha Shobhana and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav.
However the Kiwis have a very good mix of skilled and younger gamers, who can carry them above such obstacles.
Their talismanic skipper Sophie Devine, skilled all-rounder Suzie Bates together with veteran pacers Lea Tahuhu and Leigh Kasperek type the crux of this New Zealand facet.
Add the thrilling younger all-rounder Amelia Kerr to the combination, they usually have the wherewithal to spring a shock or two on this match.
However past them, the Kiwis are a bit inexperienced behind the ears and that might be their Achilles Heel.
Groups
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia (topic to health), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil (topic to health), Sajana Sajeevan
Travelling reserves: Uma Chetry (wk), Tanuja Kanwer, Saima Thakor.
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Inexperienced, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
Match begins at 7.30 PM IST.
Revealed – October 03, 2024 12:23 pm IST
