New Delhi: India’s top-order batters will need to step up against a resurgent South Africa to maintain momentum in their ICC Women’s World Cup campaign, as the hosts prepare for Thursday’s clash at the ACA-VDCA Stadium.
Although India currently sit second in the points table with two wins from two matches, a loss of focus could see them slip down if Australia beats Pakistan in Colombo. The key concern for India has been the limited contributions from their leading batters Smriti Mandhana, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues — who have struggled to find form against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
In both games so far, India relied heavily on the lower order, with Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma rescuing innings that otherwise faltered. India posted modest totals of 124/6 against Sri Lanka and 159/5 versus Pakistan. Against a stronger team like South Africa, dependence on the lower order alone could prove costly.
“The star trio needs to contribute significantly to turn a competitive total into a winning one against top sides,” said observers ahead of the match. The management, however, will be encouraged by the team’s ability to win despite limited input from senior batters, highlighting the depth in India’s squad.
On the bowling front, India has been more consistent. Deepti Sharma leads the wicket-takers with six scalps, supported by spinners Sneh Rana and Sree Charani, along with pacer Kranti Gaud. However, the pitch at Visakhapatnam may not offer the same assistance as the tracks in Guwahati or Colombo.
India will also monitor the fitness of pace-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, who missed the Pakistan game due to illness. If fit, she is expected to replace Renuka Singh Thakur, adding both bowling depth and a batting option lower down the order.
South Africa, meanwhile, come into the game with renewed confidence after a six-wicket win over New Zealand, bouncing back from earlier defeats. Centurion Tazmin Brits and dependable Sune Luus have regained form, and they will look to skipper Laura Wolvaardt, along with veterans Marizanne Kapp and Anneke Bosch, to provide further runs. Their experienced bowling attack, including Nonku Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka, Kapp, Masabata Klaas, and Chloe Tryon, will pose a stern challenge for India’s batters.
The clash promises to test India’s batting depth and resilience while offering a stern examination of their top-order form ahead of a crucial World Cup campaign.
