ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Know everything about Team India
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup is all set to start from February 21 onwards. The Indian women's cricket team will start its proceedings against Australia, A total of 10 teams namely Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, England, West Indies, South Africa, Thailand, Sri Lanka and New Zealand will battle it out. Ahead of the tourney, we look at Team India.
Women's T20 World Cup: India placed in Group A
Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India is placed along with four-time champions Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Group A for the marquee tournament. Meanwhile, Group B features England, South Africa, the West Indies, Pakistan and Thailand. For the first time, one will see the use of technology to monitor front-foot no-balls for all matches in the coveted tournament.
List of India's matches in the coveted tournament
February 21: India vs Australia (1: 30 PM IST) at Sydney Showground Stadium. February 24: India vs Bangladesh (4: 30 PM IST) at W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth. February 27: India vs New Zealand (8:30 AM IST) at Junction Oval, Melbourne. February 29: India vs Sri Lanka (1:30 PM IST) at Junction Oval. The semi-finals and final will be played on March 5 and 8 respectively.
Mandhana and Harmanpreet will need to take responsibility in batting
Smriti Mandhana will hope to take the charge in batting for the side. The likes of Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet have the desired experience. 15-year-old Shafali Verma has the potential to excel. All-rounder Deepti Sharma could power the middle order. Wicket-keeper batswoman Taniya Verma needs to step up. The likes of Harleen Deol and Richa Ghosh are options on the bench.
A look at India's 15-member squad
India's 15-member squad for the Women's T20 World Cup: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodriguez, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Richa Ghosh, Taniya Bhatia, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy.
India's bowling will be their major strength
India's bowling will be the trump card. 22-year-old Deepti will add the dynamism with her off-breaks. Poonam Yadav is the leading spinner. She has 85 scalps from 62 matches. Medium-pacer Shikha Pandey adds value in this side. Fellow pacer Arundhati Reddy has a role to play. Slow left-arm spinners Radha Yadav and Rajeshwari Gaikwad lend support.
