After suffering back-to-back three-wicket losses in the Women’s World Cup, India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar has hinted that the team management is considering changes to their playing combination. Muzumdar suggested that the inclusion of a sixth bowling option and a more flexible batting order could be on the cards as India look to revive their campaign.
India’s defeats to South Africa and Australia within four days have exposed the flaws in their five-bowler strategy. Muzumdar admitted that the team will reassess the balance before their next match against England in Indore on Sunday. “After this game, we’ll have a look at it. I’m sure the management will discuss it properly and take the right call before the next match,” he said after the loss to Australia.
India’s Five-Bowler Plan Under Fire
In both games, the Indians' shallow bowling attack was taken advantage of. Against the Australians, Alyssa Healy's team struck 141 runs in the 18 overs bowled by pacers Kranti Gaud and Amanjot Kaur. In turn, spinners Sree Charani and Deepti Sharma claimed an impressive 15 wickets for 93 runs in 20 overs. Muzumdar might want to consider the left-arm spinner Radha Yadav in case the conditions in Indore or in Navi Mumbai might suit her more.
There have also been questions around India's fixed batting order. For example, Smriti Mandhana (80) and Pratika Rawal (75) had created a superb platform through a 155-run opening stand, but India nevertheless kept Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur at 3 and 4, and both seemed to be lethargic innings that slowed the momentum and lost India some runs. Muzumdar agreed that this wouldn't be the first modification of a limited lineup, although he said while the lineup is very much in place at the moment for consistency, flexibility is still possible through Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma.
