Daijiworld Media Network - Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, Oct 8: India’s top-order batters will need to shed their cautious approach and fire collectively as they take on a rejuvenated South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup at Visakhapatnam on Thursday. Despite sitting comfortably in second place with two wins from as many games, India’s campaign has been undermined by inconsistent performances from talismanic batters Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues.

The trio struggled against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, forcing India to rely on the middle and lower order — including Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma — to salvage competitive totals. India posted 124/6 against Sri Lanka and 159/5 against Pakistan, and such precarious positions could prove costly against a well-equipped side like South Africa.

While India’s bowlers have been consistently impressive, spearheaded by Deepti Sharma with six wickets and backed by Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, and pacer Kranti Gaud, they may face challenges on the ACA-VDCA stadium pitch, which is expected to be less conducive to spin than previous venues in Guwahati and Colombo.

India are also monitoring the fitness of pace-bowling all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, who missed the Pakistan match due to illness. If fit, she is likely to replace Renuka Singh Thakur, adding depth both with the ball and lower-order batting.

South Africa, on the other hand, are coming off a six-wicket win over New Zealand, bouncing back strongly from their heavy defeats earlier in the tournament. Centurion Tazmin Brits and dependable all-rounder Sune Luus have regained form, while skipper Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, and Anneke Bosch are expected to contribute significantly. Their bowling attack, featuring Nonku Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka, Kapp, Masabata Klaas, and Chloe Tyron, promises a stern test for India’s fragile top order.

India Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud

South Africa Squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase

With both teams capable of producing match-winning performances, India will look to their top-order stars to finally deliver the runs that could secure a commanding position in the World Cup race.