The absence of power-hitters has been the Indian women’s ban for the longest time and she will be expected to return from all-rounder Deepti Sharma and wicketkeeper-batsman Sushma Verma during the fourth ODI against South Africa on Sunday. Flown as the series opener, India bounced back in style in the second ODI, but Mithali Raj’s side could not make the distance in the third game, falling short by six runs via the D / L method. The hosts were unbeaten 131 not out by opener Liezel Lee, who posted a competitive 248 for 5 for India.
Despite being strong at one stage, the team could not move up the rate with the team managing 27 runs in the last 30 balls following the dismissal of vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur and this is an area in which the team will improve, especially With the World Cup in less than a year.
“We definitely need batsmen to play the last 10 overs because obviously the kind of play a batsman has and he can improve it to the optimum cannot be short or tailless, so it’s important We are playing the batsmen for the last 10 overs, ”skipper Mithali Raj said on Friday.
“… yes we have players like Harman (Harmanpreet Kaur) and Deepti (Sharma) and it is just a few innings that they will be good in those 10 overs.”
Deepti is one of the pillars of this Indian team, but sadly she has not been able to make any significant improvement in the strength aspect of her game when she has been lacking for many years.
Neetu David’s selection committee is literally building a ‘Harkiri’ keeping young Shaifali Verma out of the WODI set-up, with the only power-hitter in the team being Harmanpreet, Jemima Rodrigues, Punam Raut and captain Mithali Raj. All are of the same style. Not the greatest of accumulating runs and strike-rates.
Although the lower order has failed to pack a punch with the bat, opener Rodrigues’ long-form lack of form (even before the COVID-19 stalled proceedings) will also be a concern for India.
Lack of talent at the domestic level means Rodrigues does not face any worthy competition from his teammates and even if he is decent, is not left with a lot of options. He is an important team in the batting unit along with Raut and Smriti Mandhana, who have looked in good touch in the series so far.
The first Indian woman cricketer and the second to reach 10,000 runs internationally, Mithali performed well in both innings.
Veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami has regularly topped the wicketkeeper’s list with eight scallops to provide success and a seat and his form will be crucial for India. With four wickets so far, spinner Rajeshwari Gaikwad has played a supporting role well, while Mansi Joshi also took a few wickets in the second ODI.
For South Africa, Liezel Lee is in great form as he has scored 219 runs so far, including 83 in the first ODI and 132 not out in the last ODI.
Among the bowlers, Shabnam Ismail has been their most successful bowler in the series with six wickets, while Marijane Cup and Nonkululeko Malaba have taken two wickets each.
The match will start at 9 am.
Teams (from):
Promoted
Women of India: Mithali Raj (Captain), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Poonam Raut, Priya Punia, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, D Hemlata, Deepti Sharma, Sushma Verma (Wicket Keeper), Sweta Verma, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gaekwad Johar Mansi Joshi, Poonam Yadav, C. Statue, Monica Patel.
Women of South Africa: Sune Luce (captain), Ayabonga Khaka, Shabineem Ismail, Laura Volvard, Trisha Chetty, Sinalo Jafta, Tasmin Britz, Marijane Cup, Nondumu Shonge, Lijel Lee, Anneke Bosch, Faye Tunclinliffe, Nonkuloko, Nokuloko. Lara Goodall, Tumi Sekhune.
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