After a successful ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, the Indian women’s team will be taking part in the prestigious 10 teams ICC Women’s World T20 2018 to be held in West Indies from 9th to 24th November.
The ICC Women’s World T20 began in 2009 and Indian women’s team-best performances have been in 2009 and 2010 edition reaching the semi-finals. In the 2018 edition, under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team are clubbed with Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Pakistan in Group B.
Indian Women’s Squad for ICC Women’s World Twenty20
India will start the tournament with a tough match against New Zealand on 9th, followed by against arch-rivals Pakistan on 11th, against Ireland on 15th and final group match on 17th against Australia.
Here’s The Full Schedule of ICC Women’s World T20 2018
The team consist of a mix of youth and experience. Few of the Indian players have played in T20 leagues which might help the Indian team of performing well in this prestigious tournament.
Here we look at the 7 Indian players who will be important for Indian chances:-
- Smriti Mandhana
The stylish left-handed batter, Smriti Mandhana has been in exceptional form. In the 2018 edition of Kia Super League held in England playing for Western Storm, Smriti was the top run-getter in the tournament with 421 runs from 10 matches (9 innings).
During this tournament, she smashed 2 half centuries and 1 half century. During the Kia Super League, she scored the joint fastest half-century in Women’s T20 off 19 balls and also scored 102 off 61 balls against Lancashire Thunder which showed her class.
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She has been in brilliant touch during 2018 against South Africa, Australia and England in limited overs format. With the way she is playing at the present moment, the Indian team will be looking to Smriti Mandhana good starts and help to post massive totals against strong teams.
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In the year 2018, Mandhana has played 20 matches (18 innings) and scored 444 runs with a strike rate of 132.93. She has scored so far 4 half centuries in this year during T20I format for India. If she could show her brilliant form while opening the innings, then the Indian team have a great chance to post big totals.
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In the T20I format for India, Smriti Mandhana has played 47 matches so far scoring 868 runs with the best score of 76, strike rate of 112.28.
- Mithali Raj
The most experienced player in the side, Mithali Raj along with Smriti Mandhana would be looking to show their class against top quality bowling side against Australia, New Zealand. Mithali Raj has played 82 T20I matches for India, scoring 2176 runs with the best score of 97*.
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In the year 2018, the experienced Raj has played 19 matches (17 innings) and scored 468 runs with an average of 33.42. She made 5 half centuries in a T20 format for the year so far, also 3rd highest run-getter in 2018 so far.
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Her ability to play the pace bowlers and spinners well makes her one of the best batters. Being the 5th run-getter in T20 format, the Indian team would be relying him to provide good starts with Smriti Mandhana to give middle order a chance to build on a big total.
Harmanpreet Kaur will be leading the side in this year’s edition. She has played 88 T20I matches (77 innings) for Indian eves and scored 1703 runs with the best score of 77. Her abilities to hit big sixes make her a dangerous batter to bowl to. She is a part-time bowler with 24 wickets from 88 matches with an economy of 6.19 runs per over.
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In the year 2018, Kaur has played 20 matches ( 12 innings) and picked 9 wickets with an economy of 7.15 runs per over. If the wickets fall early, the Indian team will be relying on her to play a captains knock and help Indian women’s team win matches.
With the bat, she is second leading runs getter in the year 2018 with 480 runs from 20 matches ( 17 innings) with the best score of 63, 2 half centuries to her name.
4. Jemimah Rodrigues
Jemimah Rodrigues one of the most promising batters in this team. During the recently concluded T20I series against Sri Lanka, the youngster was the top run-getter with 191 runs from 4 matches with a strike rate of 155.28 coming at number 3.
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She made her T20I debut against South Africa in 2018. Since then she has played 14 T20I matches and scored 336 runs with the best score of 57. Apart from a talented batter, Rodrigues is a superb fielder which can change the course of the game with brilliant fielding or catch.
Rodrigues will be a dangerous batter for Indian team and could be a serious threat for the opposition in the upcoming Women’s World T20.
5. Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma is another talented young all-rounder which can be important for Indian chances. She bowls off-spin and bats left-handed. She made her T20I debut for India on 31st September 2016. Since then she has played 19 matches and scored just 95 runs with the best score of 32.
With the ball, she has taken 18 wickets from 19 matches with an economy of 6 runs per over. Playing her first World T20 tournament, Deepti Sharma would be an important part in the team who could bowl in the middle overs and can strike big with his big hitting. In the year 2018, Deepti Sharma has taken 13 wickets from 14 matches with an economy of 6.41 runs per over.
6. Poonam Yadav
Poonam Yadav has been the star spinner for Indian team with her leg spinners. She made her T20I debut for India in 2013 and has picked 61 wickets from 43 matches. Her best figures of 4/9 came during the finals of Women’s Asia Cup T20 tournament held in June 2018 at Kuala Lumpur. Her overall economy in T20I cricket is 5.46 runs per over which is decent for any spinner.
In the year 2018, Poonam Yadav has been the top ticket taker so far taking 27 wickets from 20 matches with an economy of 5.65 runs per over, with 4 wickets haul twice.
She will be important for India’s cause in the ICC women’s World T20 held in West Indies. If the pitches help the spinners, then Poonam Yadav could trouble any opposition batter and pick wickets to stem run flow.
7. Pooja Vastrakar
Pooja Vastrakar another talented young Indian all-rounder who can hit sixes coming down the order and bowl decent pace will play an important role in Indian chances. She made her T20I debut for India on the Indian tour of South Africa in 2018.
She has played 11 T20I matches for India so far and scored 85 runs with a strike rate of 137.09. In the bowling front, Vastrakar has taken 12 wickets from 11 matches. Her abilities to hit big shots and provide the finishing touches would be important if the team requires quick-fire knocks.
In 2018, the talented all-rounder has taken 12 wickets from 11 matches with an economy of 6.72 runs per over. If she is included in the playing XI, Vastrakar would play an important role with the bat and ball.