India have little to worry about in terms of the result, but plenty to work on with the bat when they face Hong Kong, China in their second Group A match of the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai on Thursday.
The seven-time champions began their campaign with a 94-run win over Thailand, but the margin of victory masked an uneven batting performance. India were comfortably placed at 101 for two after 10 overs before losing their way, finishing on 159 for nine. Shafali Verma’s 64 off 36 balls provided the impetus, while T20I debutant Pratika Rawal chipped in with 22 off 18. However, the middle and lower order struggled to maintain the momentum.
India were eventually bailed out by their bowlers. Deepti Sharma produced a remarkable spell, while Nandni Sharma also claimed three wickets as Thailand were bowled out for 65. The performance underlined India’s bowling depth, but also highlighted the need for greater batting consistency ahead of the more demanding Group A clash against Pakistan on September 5.
Hong Kong, meanwhile, will look to build on a spirited opening performance. They pushed Thailand all the way before going down by six runs, showing that they are capable of making life uncomfortable for more established opponents. Against India, though, they will face a considerably tougher challenge.
TIME TO TEST THE BENCH
With India expected to be strong favourites, the match offers Harmanpreet Kaur and the team management an opportunity to look beyond the result.
Renuka Thakur, Arundhati Reddy and Radha Yadav are among the players who could benefit from game time. India already know what their established players can offer; the greater value now could lie in testing those who may have to step in later in the tournament.
Renuka and Arundhati would give India a chance to assess their pace-bowling combinations, while Radha could be useful on a Dubai surface where spin has already had an influence.
The question is whether India should make wholesale changes or simply rotate a few players. With Pakistan waiting just two days later, this is perhaps the ideal opportunity to give the bench a closer look without putting the team’s campaign at risk.
SHOULD KAMALINI REPLACE PRATIKA?
Kamalini is another player who could come into contention, but her inclusion would present India with an interesting selection dilemma.
The wicketkeeper-batter is the other specialist option alongside Richa Ghosh, and giving her a game would allow India to test their reserve strength. However, leaving out Rawal after her encouraging debut against Thailand could be harsh.
Drafted into the squad following Jemimah Rodrigues’ injury, Rawal looked composed on debut before being dismissed by Suleeporn Laomi. She showed enough to suggest that she deserves another opportunity, particularly with the Pakistan clash looming.
That makes the call less straightforward. If the priority is to give Kamalini a game, she could come in. But if India want to build some continuity in their batting line-up, retaining Rawal may make more sense.
The Hong Kong game, then, could be less about finding the perfect XI and more about giving India a clearer idea of the depth they can call upon later in the tournament.
WHO WILL NATASHA MILES REPLACE?
Hong Kong have a selection call of their own to make, with Natasha Miles potentially returning to the XI. Maryam Bibi led the side in their tournament opener against Thailand, with Miles missing out.
Miles, who was named captain for the tournament, is one of Hong Kong’s most experienced players. She has 2,041 T20I runs, making her the second-highest run-scorer in the team’s international history behind Mariko Hill.
If Miles returns, Joyleen Kaur could make way. Kaur was unable to make a major impact in the opener, and Miles’ presence would give Hong Kong greater experience in a batting line-up facing a vastly stronger Indian attack.
Her familiarity with higher-level cricket could also be valuable in helping Hong Kong handle the pressure of facing players such as Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.
Miles has previously stressed the importance of her team focusing on their own game rather than being overawed by the reputation of their opponents. Against India, that approach will be tested to the fullest.
LAMPLOUGH, KARY AMONG HONG KONG’S THREATS
India may start as overwhelming favourites, but Hong Kong have players capable of causing problems if given an opening.
Marina Lamplough was the standout performer against Thailand, making an impact with both bat and ball. Her ability to change the momentum quickly makes her one of the players India will need to keep under control.
Kary Chan is another player who can influence the game in both departments, while Daswani brings patience and experience to the batting line-up.
Mariko Hill is also a key figure for Hong Kong. The experienced opener is their leading T20I run-scorer and will be keen to make a bigger contribution after a quiet start to the tournament.
For India, however, the match remains as much about themselves as their opponents. The batting collapse against Thailand exposed an area that needs attention, particularly with Pakistan next on the schedule.
The bowlers have already shown they can rescue the team. Against Hong Kong, India would ideally want the batters to make sure they do not have to.
Can the middle order turn promising starts into substantial scores? Can the fringe players prove they are ready if called upon? And can India give Rawal another opportunity while still finding room to experiment?
Pakistan will provide the real examination. Hong Kong is India’s chance to prepare for it.
INDIA W VS HONG KONG W: HEAD TO HEAD
India and Hong Kong are yet to meet in a Women’s T20I. However, the two sides did face each other in a T20 match in 2012, when Hong Kong did not yet have T20I status. India won the contest by 142 runs after bowling Hong Kong out for just 24. Harmanpreet Kaur was named Player of the Match after scoring 61 off 38 balls.
INDIA W vs HONG KONG W: PREDICTED XIS
India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Shree Charani/Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud/Renuka Singh, Nandni Sharma
Hong Kong Women: Mariko Hill, Yasmin Daswani (wk), Maryam Bibi (c), Marina Lamplough, Kary Chan, Shanzeen Shahzad, Joyleen Kaur/Natasha Miles, Shing Chan Dorothea, Alison Siu, Charlotte Chan, Ruchitha Venkatesh
– Ends
