On Thursday, October 9, India will play its third match against South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup. In this match, the Indian top order needs to be careful and perform better against the South African team. Currently, India is placed second in the points table but if Australia beats Pakistan in Colombo on Wednesday, India will slip to third place.
India may have won both the last matches but the lack of runs from the bats of Smriti Mandhana, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues is a matter of concern. All three had failed against Sri Lanka, after which Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma rescued the team from trouble.
Against Sri Lanka, India lost six wickets for 124 runs and against Pakistan, it lost five wickets for 159 runs. If the lower order batsmen had not contributed, India’s situation could have worsened. However, such a mistake cannot be made against South Africa and the top order batsmen will have to perform better.
If the result is not in India’s favour, then apart from worsening the situation in the points table, the team will also be under pressure in the match against defending champions Australia on October 12. The Indian team management, however, would like to look at the positive side that the win shows the depth of the team even if the star batsmen do not perform. But they have to accept that if the bats of Mandhana, Harmanpreet and Jemimah remain silent against giants like South Africa or Australia, it can prove to be decisive.
On the other hand, the bowlers have performed well so far. They also have to see that the pitch at ACA VDCA Stadium is not like that of Guwahati or Colombo. Deepti Sharma has taken six wickets so far, who got good support from fellow spinners Sneh Rana and Sri Charani. Fast bowler Kranti Gaur has also been effective.
There will also be an eye on the fitness of fast bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, who was out of the match against Pakistan due to illness. If fit, she will replace Renuka Singh Thakur in the team. South Africa made a comeback by defeating New Zealand by six wickets in the last match. In the first match against England, the team lost by ten wickets after being bundled out for 69 runs. Apart from century-scorer Tajmin Britz and reliable Sune-Loos, captain Laura Wolwart, Marianne Kapp and Elke Bosch will also be expected to perform well. ganDabaji will be keeping an eye on Ngonku Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka, Kapp, Masabata Klaas and Chloe Tryon.
Both the teams are as follows-
India : Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chhetri, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sri Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaur.
South Africa: Loura Volwart (Capontain), Abong Khaka, Clo Treen, Nadin D Clark, Maryne Briz, Sinalo Jafta, Nankulale Cockroom Elaba, Nankulu, Neckey, Anke Mosto, Ake, Ake, Ake, Aree Bosh, Aree Bosh, Ake, Masso Bosso, Ake, Masca.