India Preview:
India, the finalist of the 2017 World Cup, will be seeking to win their first world cup title and hoping to provide a fairytale ending to the legends of the game- Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj.
Previous World Cup Results
There have been two times when India reached the world cup finals, first in 2005, then in 2017. In 2017, India came into the finals after Harmanpreet Kaur’s heroic performance against mighty Australia. Chasing 220 runs in the final at Lord’s cricket stadium against England, India gave a wonderful start, at one point they were at 191 for 3 but then Anya Shrubsole ripped the batters apart. Shrubsole’s 6 for 46 helped England win their 4th world cup title by 9 runs.
Current Form
As part of preparations for the World Cup, India played a five-match ODI series and one T20I against the hosts of the World Cup, New Zealand. Unlike other teams, India got to play just before the World Cup in New Zealand. Unfortunately, India lost both series by 1-4 and 0-1 respectively. However, the last win against New Zealand in the ODI series must have boosted their confidence.
What happened in the Warm-ups
India vs South Africa-
South Africa won the toss and elected to field first. Indian opener Smriti Mandhana got retired hurt after a bouncer from Shabnim Ismail had hit her helmet, however, later it was confirmed that she is fit for the World Cup. Yastika Bhatia (58) and Harmanpreet Kaur (104) guided India to a total of 244 runs. In return, South Africa gave a tough fight but despite Sune Luus’s 86 and Laura Wolvaardt’s 83, they lost the match by two runs. Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the pick of the bowlers for her 4 for 46.
West Indies vs India-
India won the toss and elected to bat first. Mandhana and Verma opened the innings. Verma got out for a duck. Deepti Sharma came in at no.3 and went on to make a 96-run partnership. Mandhana (66), Sharma (51), and Yastika (42) helped India reach a total of 258. In return, West Indies was bundled out for 177 in 50 overs. Shemaine Campbelle (63) and Hayley Matthews (44) were their highest scorer. Pooja Vastrakar took three wickets. Gayakwad, Sharma, and Meghna Singh took two wickets each. India won the match by 81 runs.
Squad
India’s batting looks promising with Mandhana and Verma at the top even though Verma’s form has been a concern, the team has backed her. India tried various combinations during the New Zealand series and in the warm-ups games. Deepti Sharma looked good at no.3 so there are high chances of her batting at 3 in the world cup. Indian captain Mithali Raj who has been consistent over the years will play a very important role in the world cup as well and her deputy Harmanpreet Kaur, who had proper issues with the bat gave a glimmer of hope in the last ODI against White Ferns where she scored a half-century followed by a century in the warm-up game against South Africa.
India’s bowling unit has been a concern, especially in the pace department except for the 39-year-old Jhulan Goswami. Vastrakar has not been able to deliver. The inexperienced seam department is a worry. Will India miss the experience of Shikha Pandey? Only time will tell!
Spinners are the strength of India and over the years and they have played a crucial role. Off late one of the biggest worries for India is not able to produce wickets in the middle overs. Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s performance in the warm-ups looks encouraging India still needs to create more pressure from over between 20 to 40.
Fielding has been one of India’s biggest weaknesses. The fielding standards have consistently been sub-par both in catching and in ground fielding. They struggled even during the New Zealand series.
Player to watch out – Richa Ghosh
Richa Ghosh will be the one player to watch out for. She is been in excellent form in New Zealand.
Definite pick in the fantasy side- Smriti Mandhana
Mandhana is the one player you should have in your fantasy team. She has been consistent with the bat.
