Yes, New Zealand beat India in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Yes, New Zealand won the tournament. Yes, Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. was poor, but then ODIs is something that the team prefers more, and their record speaks volumes of their prowess in the format. October 24 is when Indian women’s cricket team begin their ODI series against the White Ferns in Ahmedabad.
This year, India has only played three ODIs, but won all three against South Africa, in Bengaluru. That makes a statement in itself, that they would be a hard team to beat for Sophie Devine’s XI. It was a series where Smriti Mandhana had scored two centuries, and a 90 to stamp her authority. After a poor World Cup campaign, ODIs might just be the tonic that she needs.
Then, that was also the series where Harmanpreet Kaur got her last ton. And with mounting pressure on her, she would be itching to go as well. And not just her, the entire team, in the absence of Asha Sobhana and Richa Ghosh have a point to prove; that they are good enough.
Shafali Verma Needs to Strike Form
More importantly, it is a chance for swashbuckling opener Shafali Verma to get back into runs. Her “going over the top” ploy seems to be hardly working for now, as she is gasping for runs. Of course, there is Dayalan Hemalatha waiting in the wings, but Shafali certainly gives the team the x-factor, that every opponent is scared of.
Chance for Youngsters & World Cup 2025
Plus, this is a chance for youngsters to make a mark. Middle-order batter Tejal Hasabnis would be on India radar, who was impressive in the IND A vs AUS A series and returned with three fifties there. There is also young leg-spinner Priya Mishra in the squad, who could take over from Asha Sobhana, and has all the makings of a good bowler, and had impressive returns against AUS A.
In short, this series is a chance for Team India to get back into the ODI groove, and zero in players for the ODI World Cup already. Since this is a format that is more suited to their style of play, and better results are expected.
India Women Squad: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Dayalan Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia(w), Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur Singh, Arundhati Reddy, Tejal Hasabnis, Sayali Satghare, Saima Thakor, Uma Chetry, Priya Mishra
New Zealand Women Squad: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Lauren Down, Polly Inglis, Fran Jonas, Lea Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Eden Carson
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