Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, Aug 27: India will begin its Women's Asia Cup campaign on Friday, two months after an early exit from the T20 World Cup, with attention turning to how Harmanpreet Kaur and her team reshape their batting approach in the shortest format.
One of the long-standing concerns for India in T20Is has been maintaining attacking intent throughout the 20 overs. With Jemimah Rodrigues unavailable through injury, the team has an opportunity to give Richa Ghosh a greater role higher up the order.
Ghosh, an explosive wicketkeeper-batter from Bengal, has generally been used as a finisher despite having been tried at No. 3 on earlier occasions. Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes the Asia Cup provides an ideal opportunity to explore her potential in the top order.
“I'm surprised that India is still holding her back for such a long time before giving her an opportunity to bat in the centre,” Chopra said in a media interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network.
Chopra recalled that head coach Amol Muzumdar had earlier pushed Ghosh to No. 3 during a home series, but the experiment was soon abandoned. Ghosh has averaged 48.75 at No. 3 in ODIs and 90 in three T20I innings at the position, striking at 155.17 in T20Is.
Her recent performances in franchise cricket have further highlighted her ability to make an impact when given time in the middle. Since 2021, Ghosh has recorded a strike rate of 208.57 at No. 3 for India, albeit from only two innings.
Chopra said Ghosh's lower-order role may have more to do with India's lack of options further down the order than any limitation in her ability to bat at No. 3. Among India's batters at No. 5 or lower since 2021, Ghosh has scored 1,097 runs at an average of 28.86 and a strike rate of 143.77.
“It's not because Richa does not have that skill. It's because others don't have that kind of skill that Richa has,” Chopra said, arguing that India should avoid keeping the batter too low in the order and limiting her opportunities to influence matches.
Chopra also suggested that Harmanpreet should ideally bat at No. 3, but said Ghosh could take the position if the captain is unable to move up the order. She stressed that Ghosh's batting ability should be utilised more effectively.
Whether Ghosh gets the opportunity at No. 3 remains to be seen, but the Asia Cup offers India a chance to reset their T20 approach and build momentum for the major assignments ahead.