Lack of application and common sense could cost India the ICC Women's World Cup

Lack of application and common sense could cost India the ICC Women's World Cup (BCCI Photo)

I don’t know how many of my readers watched the India-Australia game last night. It was an experience that has left us all hugely frustrated. You tend to question what is going on and why is it that things don’t change in Indian cricket? Why is it that come every World Cup we are forced the ask the what if question and feel that we are there and yet not there? Why can’t our cricketers do the basics right when under pressure?

Let me give a specific example. Kim Garth came out at number 9 for Australia and while she is indeed a more accomplished batter than Kranti, the difference in approach is what stood out. With Sneh bowling and the match still in the balance Garth could have gone for a big shot and taken the risk. The chances of her clearing the field is much more than Kranti. She did nothing of the sort. Rather she outthought Sneh and played a deft paddle which raced to the deep fine leg boundary. It brought the equation to 8 of 10 balls and the match was all but done.

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That’s what I am trying to point out. Kranti on the other hand played a big heave and held out at long off. At the time there were two full overs left and India were on 330. Even at run a ball the score could have gone past 340. Sneh Rana was batting at the other end and just a few days back had played a superb cameo against South Africa. It doesn’t take much to think and realise what one needs to do. Playing the big shot and getting out was the most basic of mistakes. That’s what she did and sadly for India things went south.

For long I have argued that this World Cup is make or break for India. At home and in a format that they have done well, this is their best chance. I still believe India can and will qualify. They play England on the 19th and while England have done well in the tournament, India did beat them in their own backyard two months earlier.

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There is no reason why it isn’t possible one more time and a win will almost ensure India’s passage to the semi final. Just in case India lose to England, the match against New Zealand could become a knock-out. And while Sophie Devine has been in good batting form and there is always the Amelia Kerr threat, India should fancy their chances against the White Ferns. If you lose to both England and New Zealand clearly you don’t deserve to be in the semi finals. Even after the two back-to-back losses I don’t think such a catastrophe will happen.

If things go to plan and India beat one of the two teams and it all comes down to NRR, India plays Bangladesh last and on the same day as England play New Zealand. Given India’s is the last game, they will know what they need to do and plan accordingly.

The truth is not all is lost. Rather the tournament can still be salvaged. India led by Harmanpreet Kaur and coached by Amol Mazumdar will need to believe they can do and get things back. Cut down on basic mistakes and play percentage cricket. Make use of their chances and seize opportunities. If India start to win key moments, it can still be their 1983 moment. Only things are getting tough with every passing day.

With Diwali round the corner, the fans deserve a festive gift from the team. Anything else and we are staring at a very dark future for women's cricket in the country.