India’s women’s cricket team’s hunt for a maiden ICC title begins on October 4 in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. To get that elusive trophy in hand, Team India has to make sure they field a balanced XI, which suits the conditions and opposition. Luckily, the matches are being played at just two venues, and tinkering with the lineup won’t be a massive issue unless injury or weather plays a role.
3 of Team India’s 4 matches will be played at the Dubai Stadium. Not much is known about the venue, as just women’s T20Is have been played there, but the average 1st innings score here is 89. However, one has to take into account that two smaller nations (Namibia and UAE) were participating in these matches. Given the sluggish nature of pitches in the UAE, we can’t expect the score to be that high, and spinners will rule the same.
The other venue, Sharjah Stadium, is similar. No match has been played there in the last 7 years, and the average 1st innings score was 128 in the last series that happened there. Don’t expect high-scoring matches. So, Harmanpreet Kaur would likely field 3 spinners.
Yastika Bhatia returns
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana are definitely the most formidable opening partnership in women’s T20Is at the moment. Left-right combination and contrasting styles make them stand apart. Mandhana is not only Team India’s vice-captain but also the second-highest run-scorer in WT20Is.
Yastika Bhatia will make her comeback. She hasn’t played since April due to injuries but would walk in and fill the No. 3 spot. Her international record isn’t great, but she’s scored 200+ runs in both editions of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Also, in her absence, Team India has failed to find someone suitable enough to one at first drop.
Harmanpreet-Jemimah-Richa: Middle-order set
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s form has been out and down in international cricket for the last couple of years, but she has the knack of standing up when it matters the most. Her experience will come in handy during the most testing moments, and she could prove to be the most important player in the whole team.
Jemimah Rodrigues has changed her game in the last few months. Her strike rate went from 128 in WPL 2023 to 153 in WPL 2024. Jemimah’s career WT20I strike rate is 114; this year it stands at 145. Richa Ghosh is the most destructive batter in the team, and she can prove to be the differentiating factor in what are expected to be low-scoring matches.
All-rounders, Pacers & Spinners
Team India will have the services of two all-rounders, Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar. Deepti is the world’s third-best all-rounder in WT20Is and offers an equal amount of excellence with both bat and ball, while Vastrakar is primarily a fast bowler who can proficiently whack the ball. We can also count Harmanpreet on the list, given she’s more than capable of bowling at least a couple of overs.
Renku Singh Thakur will be the only out-and-out pacer, while Asha Sobhana and Radha Yadav will be the spinners. The good thing is, that all main bowlers offer something different. Renuka is primarily a swing bowler, while Vastrakar relies on hit-the-deck bowling. Deepti is an off-spinner, while Radha is a left-arm orthodox spinner, and Sobhana is a leg-spinner.
Predicted India Playing XI for Women’s T20 World Cup
Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana (vc), Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh Thakur.
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