Mumbai: Spin would be the key element, if one has to believe the Indian wickets, and in that case India women would be looking for their slow bowlers Deepti Sharma, Ekta Bisth and Poonav Yadav to deliver, as Mithali Raj-led team face off England in the three-game ODI rubber, at the Wankhede Stadium here on Friday.
“Yes that is one of our main weapon and especially when we are playing at home, so lets hope for the best,” said the skipper Mithali Raj This being a part of the ICC Championship, the teams would be looking for a winning start, as it would be a feel good factor, to go into the next two matches.
There are many factors which will boost the hosts confidence, and their 2-1 series win over the Kiwis being one. This doe not mean the hosts can take the opposition lightly, as they are also equipped with some big wigs in women’s cricket. Talking about the Indians, opener Smriti Mandhana has been in good nick, and her scorecard during the New Zealand tour is a clear indication that she could be the trump card for the Indian batting lineup.
Skipper Mithali Raj, the first woman cricketer to appear in 200 ODIs who be looking to make it one of her memoriable one, and off course our own Mumbai girl Jemimah Rodrigues, the budding who has done well abroad and she could also be looking to make the most of it on her own backyard.
However, there are a few set backs for the side as the prolific scorer for India, and the aggressive Harmanpreet Kaur, has been ruled out of the entire series with an ankle injury. But overall Indian eves do look a formidable side to beat. “Yes we do miss out on one of seniors but I feel it is for the youngsters to make the most of it,” sais skipper Mithali Raj. Coach WV Raman’s presence whose a load of experience should a world of good for the side and the hicup about the middle order issue must have been sorted out.
England eves, on the other hand, are a force to reckon with in the 50-over format. They have experienced campaigners in the top-order such as Danni Wyatt (746 runs in 61 matches) and 28-year-old Heather Knight. With all-rounders like Sophie Ecceclestone, experienced pacer Anya Shrubsole and accurate medium pacer Nat Sciver in the reckoning, England has the bowling attack to trouble the hosts.
