WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2025
Rawal and Mandhana have gone at a run-rate of 6.05 in 19 ODIs together © BCCI
New Talent in the Top Order
As India approached the World Cup, they introduced Pratika Rawal to partner with Smriti Mandhana at the top of the order, which immediately proved beneficial. Just prior to this, during a series in Australia, they had also settled on a new No. 3 batter.
Deol Takes Charge
With Harleen Deol returning to the squad, she secured the crucial No. 3 position—a spot that had been subject to frequent changes since Mithali Raj’s retirement. This adjustment, positioned alongside captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues, marked a significant shift from previous T20 World Cup experiments.
Building Momentum
The friendly home series against West Indies and Ireland allowed Rawal and Deol to establish their rhythm, resulting in both scoring their first ODI hundreds. With contributions from seasoned players, India’s top order began to look formidable.
Challenges Ahead
As tougher games against England and Australia loomed, the newly formed top order started to show weaknesses that the earlier run totals had concealed. Notably, the run rate dropped significantly when Mandhana was out early, highlighting the reliance on her for fast scoring.
Strike Rate Dilemmas
Data reveals the Rawal and Deol partnership averages 4.31 runs per over when Mandhana departs early, contrasting sharply with a 6.39 RPO when Rawal is out first. This pattern signifies India’s reliance on Mandhana and suggests tactical adjustments are needed.
Conclusion: Time for Change
Now that the team faces stronger opponents, there is less room for error. If the management wishes to maintain the existing lineup, it must find solutions to their strike rate issues. Rawal and Deol were chosen for their consistency, but now they also need to demonstrate intent to secure India’s success.
With stats inputs from Roshan Gede
© Cricbuzz
