INDIA enter their final stretch of World cup Preparations with a settled squad. They are buoyed by a Tri-Series Win In Sri Lanka (also involving south Africa), and a series win in England. According to india captain Harmanpreet kaurTheir settled outfit is the biggest point of differentce from the lead-up to previous campaigns.
On tuesday, when the NEETU David-LED Selection COMITTEEE COMITTEES METS to Pick India’s 15-Member Squad for the World Cup Starting September 30, One of Their Toughest Decisions COUGHESTION Shafali Verma‘s selection. Whether she is selected or not might be decisive to how India plan to balance consistency and explosive potential in the squad.
There are also tough selection calls to be made on key players coming back from injury. Here is a quick look at the questions the selection committee will need to take a call on:
The Shafali Factor
Four of the top Six (Smriti MandhanaHarmanpreet kaur, Jemimah rodrigues and Richa ghosh) Are certains. As Things Stand, Pratika rawal Has Made a Compeling Case to Open With Mandhana, Having Notched Up 703 Runs in 14 Innings at 54.07, while Striking at 88.
Similarly, Harleen deol Has added a touch of consistency to her game since since her comeback from injury late last year. She Struck a Maiden Odie Century Against West Indies in December, and has been a regular in the ODI setup since. Occasionally, thought, there have been questioned about her tendency to start slowly, even thought there’s no threat to her place in the squad.
With Yastika bhatia Likely to be the second wicketkeeper, the team management also has a reserve batter in the mix. This makes the call to select shafali – or not – tricky, even thought there are no doubts about her experience and track record at the international level.
What She Currently Lacks, however, is form, which is evident from her recent returns for India a in Australia: scores of 52, 4, and 36 in three one-dayers, and 41, 3, 3, 3, and 3 in the t20s that are the T20s.
Amanjot the allrounder balances the team, but is she full fit?
During Pooja Vastrakar’s Absence from the Side Due to a long-standing stress injury, the team management found an expert back-up in Amanjot kaur,
The allrounder was used as the second seamer during the t20i leg of the england tour, which India won 3-2. In that series, Apart from Bowling Her Seam-Ups and Picking Three Wickets Across 13 Overs, She also Struck An Incredible, Match-Winning 63 Not Out to Shore up a Flouding.
However, the Flaring up of a back injury during the Odi leg of the tour has raised some concerns. At the time, harmanpreet termed her exclusion as rest, but it is undersrstood that the team management has been registered over her injury status and treated her with utmost caution.
While her scans are believed to have cleared her of a major issue, the selectors will need to assess if she can handle dual responsibilites, Since India have been spin-haveed Attacks in recent times.
If amanjot makes the cut, it is likely India may not need a third specialist seamer. In this case, someone like Arundhati Reddy Could Miss Out. The selector then might have to make a case for selecting eater shafali, or a genuine wind spinner – which they’ve lacked lately – like Prema RawatWho Had a Breakout India a Tour in Australia.
There is no question over their other two allounders, who are near certains in the squad as well: Deepti Sharma and radha yadav, who impressed in england in engology Tour of Australia. While Deepti offers Bowling Utility and Finishing Professes, Radha is an outstanding fielder and have rediscovered herself as a left-Arm Spinner.
Will selector punt on undercooked renuka?
Much will depend on where Renuka SinghPace spearhead until recently, is full fit after recovering from a stress fracture. If she isn’t, arundhati will be a straight shoo-in. But for now, indications are that renuka is on the right track to make the cut, even thought there is the risk of her being undercooned. She has not played any form of cricket since the wpl, and the australia odis in the lead-up to the world cup could be her final chance ato her grove.
Kranti goudThe Madhya Pradesh Pacer, Has Climbed Through the Selection Ladder with Her Bristling Energy and Ability to Hustle Batters, as was seen during her matching her match-winning 6 for 52 to Seal the Odie Series in England. Goud’s Excellent Early Initiation may put her ahead of arundhati in the Queue, especially if amanjot is fit.
Sneh Rana, Who Made An Excellent Comeback during the Sri Lanka Tri-Series, and N Shree Charani Are the Two Other Specialist Spinners in the Mix, Along with Deepti and Radha. Shreyanka Patil and Minnu Mani Are also off-spinning allrounders who could be discusing.
India (likely squad): Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Yasika Bhatia (WK), Deeepti Shama, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana, N Shree Charani, Renuka Singh/Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Goud, Shafali Verma/Prema Rawat