Since India’s loss in the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup, the No. 3 position in the batting order has seen multiple contenders. But three years later, as the next World Cup approaches—this time on home soil—Harleen Deol has emerged as the clear and most deserving choice for the role.
Harleen’s Case: Form, Consistency, and Home Advantage
In 10 innings at No. 3 since April 2022, Harleen Deol has scored 416 runs at an impressive average of 46.22 and a strike–rate of 81.56. She’s the only player among the contenders to notch both a half-century and a century during this period.
What stands out most is her performance at home—269 runs in just 5 innings at an average of 53.80 and a strike–rate of 98.89. These numbers showcase her ability to build and accelerate an innings, attributes critical to anchoring India’s top order in ODI cricket.
Her away performances (147 runs in 5 innings at 36.75) have been steady, but it’s her dominance on home soil that solidifies her as the front-runner for the No. 3 spot in Indian conditions.
Richa Ghosh: A Finisher, Not a No. 3
Richa Ghosh has impressed when promoted to No. 3—195 runs in 4 innings at an average of 48.75 and a strike–rate of 93.75, with two fifties. However, her explosiveness and composure under pressure make her far more valuable in the finishing role. India needs that lower-order power, and Richa has already proven herself to be among the best in that space.
Yastika Bhatia: A Missed Opportunity
Yastika Bhatia had a real chance to make the No. 3 spot her own, especially given the tactical advantage of being a left-hand batter in a top six dominated by right-hand batters. However, across 11 innings at No. 3, she has scored just 226 runs at an average of 20.54. Even in Indian conditions, her average of 28 from three innings has failed to createan impact. Since returning from injury, she is yet to find rhythm or make a statement performance—further pushing her behind in the pecking order.
In a line-up searching for reliability at the top, Harleen hasn’t just knocked—she’s kicked the door open. While others flashed briefly or faltered, she built a case brick by brick, especially on home soil. With the World Cup in India, it’s no longer a debate—Harleen at No. 3 isn’t a selection call, it’s a certainty.
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