After facing crushing eliminations in the past three editions of the ICC T20 World Cup, with semi-final finishes in 2018 and 2023, and a runner-up position in 2020, India is more determined than ever to clinch their first title. Having reached at least the last four in the last three consecutive tournaments, India is undeniably one of the favorites heading into the 2024 edition. However, there are still some concerns that need addressing if they are to lift the trophy.
Woorkeri Raman, former India women’s head coach, has witnessed the team’s transformation into a T20 powerhouse. He shares his thoughts on what could work in India’s favor and where the team might face challenges.
Raman highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the current squad, pointing to their robust batting unit but noting some concerns about the fast-bowling lineup. “If you look at the team’s composition, they have a very good batting unit. Of course, if you have to look at some concerns, it has to be the lack of experience in the pace bowling department and maybe a bit of a lack of firepower in the pace bowling department because of injuries, and we haven’t had a lot of options come through in the last two seasons,” said Raman.
The tournament, originally set to be held in Bangladesh, was relocated to the UAE due to political unrest in the former host country. Raman believes this last-minute shift will force the Indian team to rework their strategies. “I think it will require a bit of a change in mindset and tweaking of plans. What they planned to do in Bangladesh would have to be shelved now, to a certain extent, not completely. They have to try and work out plans that will be suitable for the conditions in Dubai and Sharjah,” he explained.
One pressing issue for India is the lack of a settled no. 3 batter. During their 2024 campaign, which began with a T20I series against Australia, Jemimah Rodrigues was slotted into the no. 3 spot. However, in subsequent series against Bangladesh, South Africa, and in the Asia Cup 2024, players like Yastika Bhatia, Dayalan Hemalatha, and Sajeevan Sajana also took turns at no. 3. Raman sees Yastika Bhatia as the ideal player for the role. “What they did well was give a string of chances to Hemalatha [Dayalan] at No. 3 because of the injury to Yastika Bhatia. I wouldn’t look beyond Yastika for a simple reason: she’s a fantastic team player, and she did really well in the 50-over World Cup with whatever role was assigned to her.”
Bhatia’s left-handed batting adds another layer of flexibility to the team’s lineup. Raman pointed out, “You do have Smriti Mandhana; in the event that her wicket falls and the team wants to maintain a left-right combination, you would have Yastika filling that void.”
Jemimah Rodrigues has shown her versatility by batting at various positions throughout her career. Although she has often played at no. 3, she has more recently been deployed at no. 5. Raman believes this adjustment suits her style of play: “Jemimah Rodrigues played at No. 5 on occasions previously as well. She [Jemimah] will fit into that role well for the simple reason she works the ball around well against spin when the field is spread out. She is a good runner between the wickets and she has the capability of playing explosive shots once she settles in.”
Richa Ghosh has had an outstanding 2024, amassing 240 runs from just nine innings at a striking rate of 158. Raman commended her maturity and approach to the game. “Her temperament has always been her forte, in the sense that she didn’t do anything different because she’s playing for India. She is gone about doing things in her own way. That’s perhaps the way she has succeeded as well as she has done in the short span of time so early in her career.”
As the most experienced T20I player globally, Harmanpreet Kaur will be a crucial figure for India, both as captain and batter. With 173 T20I matches under her belt, her leadership is indispensable. Raman highlighted her growth as a leader: “When she started, whatever I saw of her during the early days of my tenure when she was the captain, she was perhaps on a single mode, but I think she’s picked up along the way, and of course, but then what is unfortunately discussed more about Harmanpreet Kaur is about a couple of peccadillos here and there. Overall, she’s been the driving force of the team and has everyone believing that India can take on anyone; that’s what people need to focus on rather than the demeanour.”
While India’s spin department looks well-rounded, the fast-bowling attack remains a concern. The team relies heavily on Renuka Singh Thakur, who has struggled to find consistent form recently. “Renuka Thakur can trouble the best of batters if she gets her rhythm going and gets the ball to swing. That’s something that has not happened in the recent past,” said Raman. He also acknowledged the improvements of Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy, both of whom have become valuable assets to the team. “Pooja Vastrakar has come a long way over the last year or so. She has also performed extraordinarily well as a bowler across formats, even in Test cricket, which has given the team a lot of flexibility. Arundhati Reddy has resurged after a bit of a lull, and her resurgence augurs well for the Indian side; she’s a good athlete.”
Deepti Sharma’s evolution as one of the best all-rounders in the T20 format has been another bright spot for India. Raman believes she has even more to offer, especially with the bat. “She’s [Deepti Sharma] an important cog in the Indian team’s wheel. I’m going to make this statement again: I would like to see you contribute more with the bat because you are capable of delivering much more than you have.”
India has also unearthed a potential X-factor in wrist-spinner Asha Sobhana. Although she lacks extensive international experience, Raman is optimistic about her abilities. “Asha Sobhana is a quality bowler. She’s very good, she might not have had much experience at the international level as one would expect to be part of the World Cup squad. In terms of playing cricket, she’s had a lot of experience, she’s been around for a while and played a lot of cricket at the domestic level.”
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has played a crucial role in shaping the mindset and approach of India’s players, giving them the confidence to embrace a more aggressive style of play. “WPL has obviously rewired them in terms of their thought process and approach to the game,” said Raman. “There used to be a time in Indian cricket when, even in T20 cricket, it was all about preserving wickets… With the inception of WPL and getting to play more T20 formats with bilateral series, gradually, the players have understood that they have to try and up the ante and try and be more aggressive.”
India’s World Cup campaign will begin on October 4th against New Zealand, in what promises to be a tough Group A that also includes Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
India’s World Cup Squad:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan
*Selection subject to fitness.
Travelling Reserves: Uma Chetry (wk), Tanuja Kanwer, Saima Thakor
Non-Travelling Reserves: Raghvi Bist, Priya Mishra