It is do-or-die for the India Women’s Cricket Team. With the series tied at 1-1, the hosts need to win the third and final game of the series at all costs against the White Ferns. Team India started the series with a 59-run victory. But they eventually lost the second game by 76 runs. A lot is at stake for the Indian side as ace batters Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur undergo a rough patch.
Right after their T20 World Cup heroics, the Black Caps took on India in a 3-match ODI series. Team India registered a comfortable win in the first game which saw the White Ferns collapsing under pressure. But the visitors made a strong comeback in the very next game, clinching a mega win. And with the final series decider today, team India will be hoping for the big guns to fire.
High time for Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur to Step Up
India’s top order hasn’t been consistent over the last couple of games. Not just star batters, but the captain and the vice-captain, Harmanpreet Kaur & Smriti Mandhana have been in some terrible form of late. And after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, India need their top gins to fire.
And strong performances from now onwards will help in building the momentum for the ODI World Cup. Come to think of it, Smriti Mandhana managed 5 and 0 in the last two matches. Captain Harmanpreet hasn’t been great either. She didn’t play the first game and scored 24 runs in the next game.
Another star batter who also needs to fire is Shafali Verma. The youngster registered 33 and 11 in the last two games showcasing India’s weak form in the top order. With the series on the line, it remains to be seen how the hosts come up against Sophie Devine and her side at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
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