NEW DELHI: When they play an injury-hit Australia in their crucial Women’s T20 World Cup encounter on Sunday in Sharjah, a confident India will look to seize control of their fate by achieving yet another victory that boosts their net run rate.
Notwithstanding their early defeat by New Zealand, India’s tremendous victory over Sri Lanka earlier this week has raised their prospects of making it to the last four.
India, New Zealand, and Pakistan will now compete for the final semifinal position as Australia, with six points from three games and an outstanding net run rate of +2.786, has all but guaranteed a spot.
But in Friday’s win over Pakistan, the reigning champions were dealt two injuries blows: fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck dislocated her shoulder, while captain Alyssa Healy had to leave the pitch with a “acute injury to her right foot”.
Australia’s depth will be put to the test as the pair, who are scheduled to undergo scans on Saturday, are anticipated to miss the pivotal match on Sunday.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 82 runs, their biggest margin of victory in the history of the competition, which increased their confidence and turned their negative net run rate into a positive one.
They moved up to second position in Group A with the victory, right behind tournament leaders Australia. India, with four points, has to win to maintain their hopes of making the knockout round, but New Zealand, who also has one game remaining, may also finish with six points.
In that case, the net run rate will determine qualification. India’s current NRR is +0.567, but with significant wins over struggling Pakistan and Sri Lanka, New Zealand (-0.050) might overtake Harmanpreet Kaur and Co.
After three games, Pakistan has two points. There’s a chance that all three teams might be tied at four points and the NRR would be used once more if they win their last game against New Zealand and India loses to Australia.
The ‘Women in Blue’ will therefore be desperate to avoid any threat from the Kiwis in addition to winning and scoring more runs than they have previously.
India has always posed a threat to Australia, and Harmanpreet Kaur would want her team to perform at its best once more with a last-four position at stake.
The fact that Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, and captain Harmanpreet are back in the top order bodes well for the team.
A lot will depend on the three of them and Jemimah Rodrigues, who is overdue for a major blow, given that this will be India’s maiden encounter here and the venue has proven difficult for the hitters.
The bowlers, who had outstanding performances against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, will want to silence their rivals.
Australia will have to drastically change their lineup if Healy is sidelined: they will need to find a new captain, wicketkeeper, and opening batsman. The wicket-keeping responsibilities will be assumed by Beth Mooney.
However, Australia’s vice captain, Tahlia McGrath, who is anticipated to skipper the team against India, is adamant that they are prepared to use their squad strength.
“The thing about this Australia team is the depth we have. It’s time to use it,” she said on Friday.
Squads:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan
Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (vc), Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
