Women's World Twenty20: Can India rise under Harmanpreet's captaincy?
Harmanpreet Kaur is set to lead Indian eves in the women's World Twenty20. This edition of tournament is scheduled to be played in the West Indies. The BCCI All India Women's Selection Committee picked the squad for the coveted tournament on Friday. The world tourney will be held from November 9 to 24. Here is more on the same.
A look at India's performance in 2018
India enjoyed successive series victories against Sri Lankan women this month. After clinching the ODIs 2-1, Harmanpreet's Indian team pocketed the T20I series 4-0. Prior to that in April, India also overcame England 2-1 at home in a 3-match ODI series. But India haven't done well against top side Australia and suffered a clean sweep in March. India also lost the Tri-nation T20.
Performances away from home a strong attribute
Kaur will draw inspiration from their ODI and T20I series victory against South Africa, away from home, in February 2018. This would gave the side an added impetus. India did well in the ICC Women's World Cup in 2017 under Mithali Raj and lost narrowly in the final. They have the character to do well this time, as well.
A look at Mithali Raj and Mandhana
If Kaur has played well consistently, credit should also go to former skipper Mithali Raj. Both have been in superb touch with the bat in 2018. Raj has amassed 5 half-centuries in T20Is this year. One concern is regarding the form of 22-year-old Smriti. She has failed miserably with the bat in recent past in T20Is. India will hope that she finds a way.
India placed in Group B
India are placed in Group B alongside the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Ireland. The World T20 is a 10-team affair with 5 sides in each group. For India, the encounter against Aussies will be crucial. They need to find a way to trump the in-form side. India open their account against New Zealand on November 9 in Guyana.
India's squad for the coveted ICC World T20
The squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Mithali Raj, Jemimah Rodrigues, Veda Krishnamurthy, Deepti Sharma, Tanya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Anuja Patil, Ekta Bisht, Hemlata, Mansi Joshi, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy.
