There are less than 36 hours to go before India take the field against Australia for their all-important T20 World Cup game. It is clearly one of the most significant matches the team will play, and nothing but a win will suffice. And the two players who will have to lead from the front and take responsibility are Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana. Both played well against Sri Lanka and found form. But then, that was Sri Lanka. There is a massive difference between them and Australia, and both women will have to be at their best to make a difference against the world champions.
First, there will be nothing loose on offer. No freebies to pounce on and score. There will also likely be no dropped catches and second chances. That’s where Harman and Smriti need to be a lot better. Target particular bowlers, and have a plan in place. In Sharjah, the pitch will play a certain way. With India playing outside Dubai for the first time in this tournament, they will need to know what a good target is if they bat first. That’s where the leadership group comes into the equation.
Rohit Sharma targeted Mitchell Starc in the Caribbean, and the rest is history. His 40-ball 90 set the tone and transformed India’s T20 World Cup campaign. Harmanpreet has done similar things in the past, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea for her to watch highlights of her greatest knock in international cricket. The attitude is what will make a difference. Against Australia, you can’t be circumspect. Unless India are fearless, they won’t win. The men were in June, and the women have to be on Sunday.
For More Sports Related Content Click Here
Coming to Smriti, a lot will depend on her. That she is the best batter in the team is a given. She is a treat to watch, and has every shot in the book. And yet, when it comes to crunch games, Smriti hasn’t really left a mark. Take the 2022 Commonwealth Games final against Australia. India got very little from Smriti. In the T20 World Cup semi-final against the same opposition in South Africa in 2023, Smriti was out for just 2. Without Smriti performing, it won’t happen for India. As a great player, she has to deliver in the games that matter. In fact, this is the one area where she has been found wanting, and Sunday is an opportunity to redeem herself.
Whatever it takes, Smriti needs to do better and make a telling contribution. In both the games mentioned above, had she made a stronger impact, India might have won. That the team came close even without her making a mark says a lot, and that’s what India must bank on when they play Australia on Sunday.
Smriti is clearly on the cusp of greatness and immortality. The truth is she is already a legend of the game, and can only get better. She is the next captain of India and has already won a WPL title. She is also women’s cricket’s biggest brand, and the number of endorsements she now has is evidence of her stardom. All she needs now is that one big push. India will hope it comes on Sunday.
Also Read: Do India have what it takes to beat Australia and make the semis?