Women's World Cup: India face Bangladesh in must-win contest as semi-final race heats up
India Today
Women's World Cup 2022: Having won only 2 out of their first 5 games, Mithali Raj-led India can't afford any more slip-ups. They face Bangladeh in Hamilton on Tuesday.
India have been inconsistent so far at the Women's World Cup, winning 2 out of 5 matches so far but neighbours Pakistan's shock win over the West Indies on Monday has thrown open the race for the top 4. When India meet Bangladesh on Tuesday at Seddon Park in Hamilton, they need nothing less than a victory to keep their hopes of reaching the last four alive.
India are currently at the 4th spot with 4 points from 5 matches, 4 points behind South Africa who are at the 2nd spot. However, with pressure from England (4 points in 5 matches) and New Zealand (4 points from 6 games), there can't be any more slip-ups for Mithali Raj's side.
The heavy fluctuations in the batting performance was already a concern and with the ease Australia chased down a record 278 in the previous game, the Indian bowlers also need to step up.
The bowling looked rather flat against the Aussies, who attacked and put pressure from ball one. The move to drop an extra bowling option in Deepti Sharma and bring back batter Shafali Verma also did not work.
Harmanpreet Kaur, who roared back to form with the bat, is yet to be used as an off-spinner in the competition.
It remains to be seen if Shafali will be persisted with for the crucial contest and Yastika Bhatia returns at the top to open alongside Smriti Mandhana.
One positive from the Australia game was captain Mithali Raj getting back among runs. After a couple of quiet games, Mandhana will also be expected to score big on Tuesday.
