The struggling Indian women’s cricket team is gearing up to face Bangladesh in the second ODI, desperately seeking redemption and aiming to prevent an embarrassing series loss. The Indian batters have been grappling to adapt to the slow surface throughout the tour, particularly against spinners and leg-break bowlers.
The recent defeat against Bangladesh in the ODI and T20 matches has given the host team the much-needed momentum to secure a historic series win potentially. With a World Cup in Bangladesh on the horizon, it is crucial for the Indian team to learn how to accumulate runs on challenging pitches.
The Indian batting lineup has experienced a collective failure so far on the tour, even though they managed to secure victory in the T20I series. Star batter Smriti Mandhana’s performance has been a major disappointment, while Priya Punia, who replaced the explosive Shafali Verma in the opening ODI, also struggled to make an impact. Yastika Bhatia and Jemimah Rodrigues have faced difficulties in effectively rotating the strike, leading to added pressure on themselves. Additionally, with the absence of Richa Ghosh, the team has been unable to find a reliable finisher who can score boundaries consistently.
Former India cricketer and commentator Anjum Chopra not happy with India's performance. #CricketTwitter #BANvIND pic.twitter.com/ieaztrOMM6
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 16, 2023
Amidst these struggles, Amanjot Kaur, who showcased her bowling skills in the previous match, has an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact with the bat as well. Her inclusion could give India the much-needed finishing option, potentially turning the tide in their favor.
Despite the disappointing performances, the team’s bowling coach, Rajib Datta, emphasized the need to remain composed and not succumb to panic. He acknowledged that the team is in a transitional phase, experimenting with different combinations ahead of next year’s World Cup. One glaring area of concern for the Indian team has been the excessive number of wides bowled in the series opener, amounting to a total of 19. The team recognizes that this issue needs urgent rectification, particularly considering the extended break from competitive cricket for the players.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur reflects on the 2nd T20I during the post match presentation.#CricketTwitter #BANvIND pic.twitter.com/9qlrb4uwkx
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 11, 2023
As the Indian women’s cricket team faces the challenge of avoiding a series defeat against Bangladesh, they must address the issues plaguing their batting lineup. It is crucial for the batters to find a way to excel on slow surfaces and counter the threat posed by spinners and leg-break bowlers. With the series momentum firmly in Bangladesh’s favor, India must regroup, identify their finishing options, and execute their game plans effectively. The upcoming matches provide a valuable opportunity for the Indian team to demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and potential to compete at the highest level of women’s cricket.
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