Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes the Indian women’s team will start as one of the favourites for the upcoming T20 World Cup, arguing that English conditions are no longer unfamiliar territory for the current squad.
India open their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Birmingham on June 14 with expectations of a deep run in the tournament. The confidence stems from the team’s growing experience of playing in England, with a large section of the current squad having toured the country multiple times in recent years.
“England conditions are not alien. Few of them or most of them have already played there, at least the core of this Indian team,” Chopra told PTI.
Despite backing India as favourites, Chopra cautioned against underestimating the competition in Group 1, which also features Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. With only two teams advancing to the semifinals, she believes every game will carry significant weight.
“Even Pakistan has been playing some very good cricket. And India does not know how Netherlands would come out. They’ve also made it to the World Cup,” she said. “And why should we just forget the fact that there is an Australian team and a South African team in the same pool. So, only two of the teams can qualify for the semi-finals from that pool. So, it’s not going to be very easy.”
While, India head into the tournament after showing encouraging signs during their ongoing tour of England. The side has gained valuable exposure to local conditions, while several players have already accumulated significant experience through bilateral series, franchise competitions and previous tours. However, the challenge remains formidable, particularly with a demanding group-stage draw that leaves little room for error.
SELECTION HEADACHES FOR INDIA
One of the biggest positives for India in the build-up to the World Cup has been the return of wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia after a lengthy injury layoff. The left-hander made an immediate impact on her comeback, scoring a fluent 54 off 40 balls in the opening T20I against England and strengthening her case for a permanent spot in the top order.
“I think Indian team will probably need to be a little more open about flexibility in the batting order. I am not saying that they will not be because right now, it’s just a series against England. But in less than a couple of weeks they will play their first World Cup game, I feel there needs to be a little more adaptability to the flexibility,” she added.
Chopra believes Yastika’s form could force the team management to adopt a more flexible approach to the batting lineup, particularly with established names such as Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues occupying key roles.
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