Team combination the big question for India against Australia as their problem against left-arm spin continues.
India’s shaky wins raise team combination questions ahead of crucial Australia clash.
Is India a short bowler? Why are left-arm spinners taking too many wickets from India? In the final overs, is India employing spin excessively? After losing to South Africa, how does the team get back together and move on?
At least to those who aren’t watching the Women’s World Cup 2025, the way India all-rounder Sneh Rana was interrogated during the press conference before the match against Australia would give the idea that India hasn’t won anything.
Despite winning two of their three matches and nearly winning the third, India’s route to those triumphs has not been particularly compelling. With poor scores from its seasoned hitters Mandhana, Kaur, and Rodrigues, India has collapsed in every match.
The hosts would welcome the comfort of a sixth bowler after witnessing how easily both South Africa and India were scoring boundaries in the final overs in Visakhapatnam, where India will next play Australia on Sunday. This is especially true for the pace attack, which currently consists of Kranti Gaud and Amanjot Kaur, who have combined for 21 ODIs.
Their bench choices might entice them to add Arundhati Reddy, who has played in 49 international matches, or Renuka Singh, who has experience in the 2022 ODI World Cup. However, this squad is so evenly matched that a bowler would have to replace a batter because doing so would reduce the number of bowling options.
“I think that call is for the management to take, and I can’t comment much on it,” Rana said about the make-up of the XI. “But we already have good bowlers, and even Pratika [Rawal] and Harman bowl, so it won’t make a big difference at this stage.”
Even if Rawal and Harleen Deol’s dot-ball percentages have drawn criticism and Rodrigues has claimed two ducks in three knocks, dropping a batter this early in the tournament is also rare. It would be difficult for India’s batting lineup, which hasn’t performed well in the World Cup, to leave out a hitter.
“See, I don’t think it’s a major concern because our batters have handled these situations very well in the past,” Rana said, backing her team batters to fire soon. “Ups and downs are part and parcel of the game, they can happen anytime. But we have some of the best batters in the world on our side. It’s just a matter of one good knock, and I’m hopeful they’ll bounce back very soon.
“All the batters are working on their strengths, and everyone knows where they need to improve. Each player is taking individual training for that. If we talk about strike rate, whatever has been lacking in the past few months, everyone is aware of it and as a team, we discuss it, regroup, and work towards improving it.”