The strategy of fielding five batters, a wicketkeeper, and five bowlers — three of whom double up as all-rounders — has been India’s go-to template through most of this World Cup cycle.
Photo: IANS
Under mounting pressure to revive their campaign after back-to-back defeats, India are likely to consider a tactical reshuffle by including a sixth bowling option when they face England in a crucial ICC Women’s ODI World Cup match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday.
India’s campaign, which began with promise, has stuttered following successive three-wicket losses to South Africa and Australia in Visakhapatnam — results that have exposed the limitations of their preferred five-bowler combination.
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The strategy of fielding five batters, a wicketkeeper, and five bowlers — three of whom double up as all-rounders — has been India’s go-to template through most of this World Cup cycle.
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However, its flaws have now been brutally laid bare against top-tier opposition, forcing the team management to reassess their balance.
The Women in Blue now find themselves in a must-win situation, needing at least two victories from their remaining three matches to stay in contention for a semifinal berth.
The five-bowler approach faltered against South Africa and was persisted with against Australia, leading to similar outcomes.
Both opponents successfully chased down targets of 251 and 330, respectively, exposing India’s inability to sustain pressure during the middle overs.
The absence of a specialist bowler has hurt India’s potency. Their preference for batting depth has seen them bench strike pacer Renuka Singh, opting instead for the all-round ability of Amanjot Kaur.
Renuka’s exclusion has rendered the attack somewhat one-dimensional, placing a heavy workload on young Kranti Goud, who has impressed with her discipline but lacks experienced support.
Renuka’s return could restore the missing edge and variety, while the management also has the option of including left-arm spinner Radha Yadav or pacer Arundhati Reddy to bolster the lineup.
Yet, India’s concerns extend beyond bowling. The inconsistency of their top order has been equally worrying. While openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal rediscovered form with fluent half-centuries against Australia, the middle order, led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues, has failed to build on strong starts.
Against Australia, India collapsed dramatically, losing six wickets for 36 runs and folding before completing their 50 overs — a recurring pattern that has plagued them throughout the tournament.
The team’s over-reliance on lower-order rescues from all-rounders has masked deeper batting frailties, and against four-time champions England, such lapses could prove costly.
The Holkar Stadium surface has traditionally favoured batters, with both previous matches at the venue producing high-scoring encounters. However, India will need to strike the right balance between aggression and discipline to exploit the conditions effectively.
England, meanwhile, enter the contest unbeaten and one win away from securing a semifinal spot, though not without vulnerabilities.
Their batting has been inconsistent, often relying on individual brilliance to recover from precarious positions. They were 79 for 7 against Pakistan before rain intervened and had earlier stumbled to 78 for 5 against Bangladesh.
Their bowling unit, however, has been a major strength, maintaining control and composure in pressure situations. The visitors will also be buoyed by the potential return of Sophie Ecclestone, their star left-arm spinner, who missed the Pakistan game due to illness. Pacers Lauren Bell and Kate Cross are expected to share the new-ball duties.
Squads:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Goud.
England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
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