We now know that victory alone may not be enough. In fact, it is more than likely that India will return home on Monday. And yet, a win is all that we need. It is essential for the future of the women’s game. To be able to say that it was one bad game against New Zealand that cost India, and that the team responded by beating the best in the world in Australia. We will indeed lament the lack of intent against Pakistan, and argue that the approach cost us dear. But all that is for later. For the sake of the sport in India, Harmanpreet Kaur and her side need to beat Australia. Open up that window of opportunity. Anything else, and the World Cup will be classified as a disaster and push the sport back by months and years.
Here are my pointers for an Indian win:
All-or-nothing approach
This will either work or go completely south. Against Australia, and more so when we need a big win, there is no point in holding back. It is continuous aggression or nothing. Without doubt, this is an approach fraught with risk. But for India, with survival on the line, this is perhaps the only approach to follow. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana could go for an all-out attack at the top with Shafali taking on the off-spinner and Smriti going after Megan Schutt. If it comes off, Harman, Jemi Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh can keep the momentum going.
The Harmanpreet factor
It is her game to deliver. It could well be the last time she leads India in a World Cup if the team doesn’t do well. The pressure will be intense and Harmanpreet should treat it as an opportunity. If we look back at her legacy as a captain, it is a tale of what could have been. She had created multiple opportunities from where India should have won key games. And yet, things did not work out. The home stretch wasn’t good enough and Harmanpreet fell short. This is one last opportunity. To make a statement and prove a point.
Deepti Sharma
She has been underwhelming this World Cup. For Deepti, things haven’t been easy. Take the game that transformed women’s cricket in India, and the one that Deepti tries relentlessly to forget. At the time when Deepti came out to bat against England in the 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s, India could almost touch the cup. One good effort from Deepti, and history would be made. Unfortunately for her and for the team, pressure got the better of the 20 year old and she and India ended up second-best.
Not as flamboyant as Smriti or as visible as Harmanpreet or Shafali, Deepti is perhaps the most critical cog in the Indian wheel. Not only will she have a major role with the bat, she will surely be Harmanpreet’s go-to bowler in the powerplay against the in-form Australian batters.
Fielding
Our reporters in Dubai and Sharjah have reported that India have done a lot to make sure the fielding is not a letdown. High catches, ground fielding, specific drills for specific players – all have been done to make sure we don’t miss easy opportunities. Against Sri Lanka, the fielding was top drawer. Radha Yadav took a stunner and it set the tone. India should try and get her on the park, and every player should push that extra yard. It is the match that matters. Whatever it takes.
Also Read: Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur must lead from the front for India to upset Australia