Still photographs are your life-long companions. They capture different emotions – from laughter to sadness and frustration. The 2023 T20 World Cup semifinal between Australia and India was a microcosm of that. When the score read 133 for 5, Harmanpreet Kaur, the India skipper, was livid with herself and probably cursing her fate after losing her wicket via a run-out.
Harmanpreet threw the willow and muttered some words while walking back to the pavilion. Meanwhile, there were wild celebrations in the Australian camp. Ultimately, Australia sealed the game, and went on to win yet another T20 world title. Those two evocative images basically summed up the game. On the one hand was a champion side that once more lifted their game at the right moment. And then there was India, who once again faltered at a crucial phase.
So, can India break the jinx in the T20 World Cup in the UAE? Or will it be the same old story? Let’s sift through some of India’s strengths and weaknesses, alongside zooming in on their chances to lift the covetedtrophy for the first time.
With a willow in hand, Smriti Mandhana is India’s biggest weapon. And when wickets are falling around her, she is expected to be a bulwark of the side too. Since July last year, Mandhana has been doing quite well for India, averaging a tick over 37 and at a strike-rate of 118.33. In the bilateral series versus South Africa, her strike-rate stood at 142.85, and it was 137.3 in the Asia Cup.
Shafali Verma, her opening partner, found some form in the nick of time against South Africa and in the Asia Cup,although her 81 in the Asia Cup came against lowly Nepal. Shreyanka Patil, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar and Richa Ghosh are some of the other key players to watch out for. Shreyanka, who suffered a finger injury in the Asia Cup, doesn’t just bowl quicker through the air, but also imparts enough revs on the ball. That’s one reason why she could be a vital cog of the line-up.
Shreyanka was the game-breaker in the WPL final for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Delhi Capitals. Even in the league phase, and against the same opponent, she ran through the batting unit, taking a four-for. In that encounter, Shreyanka ended up showcasing another facet of her game – a genuine wicket-taking option in the slog overs. The think-tank will trust Richa, the wicketkeeper-bat, to sparkle in the slog overs.
Meanwhile, Deepti would be eager to showcase her all-round prowess. The veteran all-rounder wouldn’t just be expected to bowl tidy spells, but also provide heft to the middle order. Her stellar performances in the WPL and The Hundred would have boosted her confidence. It was Deepti’s shot that powered London Spirit to a memorable victory in The Hundred final. A better range of shots through the offside seem to be the foundation stone of Deepti Version 2.0 in the shortest format.
India still have certain stumbling blocks. One of them could be the No.3 slot. In recent times, India have experimented with Yastika Bhatia, DayalanHemalatha, Uma Chetry and SajeevanSajana. They could yet revert back to Jemimah Rodrigues. Her ability to explore every nook and cranny of the ground with her busy game could prove to be useful at that slot.
Over 61 matches, Jemimah averages a little over 30 at that slot in T20Is. But over 14 matches, Jemimah has done better at the No. 5 position, averaging 46.5. Yastika is the other option. The left-hand batter was in decent form in the IPL, accumulating 204 runs.
India’s fielding is also a bugbear. Over a period of time, India have been criticised for grassing catches or making elementary errors in the field. Even in the Asia Cup final, Harmanpreet fluffed a sitter to give Harshitha Madavi a reprieve. In the final analysis, it proved to be a costly mistake.
We also have to talk a little bit about Harmanpreet, the batter. The India skipper has made handy contributions against Bangladesh and South Africa in the last 12-15 months. However, she has not been at the top of her game. And she hasn’t bowled in her previous 22 T20Is either. Meanwhile, Pooja and Renuka Singh will spearhead the pace attack. But India seem to lack an enforcer in the mould of now-retired Jhulan Goswami.
So, can India make it to the semi-finals? Just glance at India’s group, and the mighty Australian side would be tough to beat,even though the conditions at the Sharjah Cricket Ground could suit the Indian team. New Zealand still have the experienced Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine in their ranks. Amelia Kerr is also a part of New Zealand’s engine room. But the likes of Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Isabella Gaze and company haven’t really made their chances count.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the other two sides in the group. Among those two teams, Sri Lanka would be brimming with self-belief, as they enter the tournament on the back of upsetting India in the Asia Cup final. With the tournament being held in October, the dew factor might make its presence felt in some of the earlier games. In such a scenario, the spinners could find it tough to grip the ball.
Despite a few threats, it would take a brave individual to bet against India progressing to the lastfour. From there on, it would again come down to how well India handle pressure situations.
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