The World Cup is almost here, and for Team India, the excitement is mixed with a dose of tough decision-making. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side looks far more settled compared to past campaigns, but a few critical selection calls still hang in the balance. The two biggest storylines? Renuka isn’t just racing against batters—she’s racing against the clock to be match-ready. Add to that the question of all-rounder balance, and suddenly, India’s “settled” squad feels like a tricky jigsaw puzzle.
Shafali Verma: Explosive Talent vs Patchy Form
Shafali Verma is the kind of batter who has always been able to swing the course of a match in very few overs. If she is hitting it well, the bowlers are unlikely to have much of a chance. If she is not hitting, getting her out can often feel like the moment a team is stopped in its tracks. Her recent results in Australia for India A – 52, 4, 36, and then 41, 3, 3 in the T20s – really lead to one natural conclusion: inconsistency rather than dominance.
The real question isn’t about Shafali’s talent—nobody doubts that—it’s about whether India can afford to gamble on her form in a tournament where margins are razor-thin. With Pratika Rawal scoring runs for fun and Harleen Deol rediscovering her rhythm, the top six already feels packed. That leaves Shafali fighting for a spot that may or may not exist.
Renuka Singh: Ready or Rushed?
For India’s pace attack, Renuka Singh has been the heart. She is a genuine match-winner due to her ability to swing the ball and strike early. But here is the crux – Renuka has not played since the WPL due to a stress fracture. It sounds like she is healing from the reports, but simply being “fit” can be different from being “World Cup ready”. It could be disastrous to be undercooked in a tournament at this level, especially when time is needed to get back to gaining any rhythm.
If Renuka makes it, India’s seam department looks balanced. But if she isn’t fully ready, someone like Arundhati Reddy could step in, bringing reliability if not the same X-factor. On the other hand, Kranti Goud has been breathing fire with her pace, especially after her 6 for 52 heroics in England. She could be India’s wildcard option if the selectors are willing to take a punt on raw energy over experience.
The All-Rounder Equation: Amanjot or Extra Spinner?
Amanjot Kaur has been a classic surprise—seam it, match-winning 63 runs, and providing the necessary flexibility that the team has needed. But her latest back injury is a bit of a hiccup. If she is fit, India can go spin-heavy and use Amanjot as the second seamer. This effectively opens a spot for an additional batter, such as Shafali or even a genuine wrist-spinner, such as Prema Rawat, who played very well on the A tour in Australia.
If Amanjot doesn’t step forward, the scale could tip. Suddenly, Arundhati Reddy or worse yet, Kranti Goud could become important and push one of the fringe batters out. Ultimately, the selectors are engaged in cricketing chess here – every decision in one aspect has a knock-on effect in other aspects of the XI.
FAQs
- Why is Renuka Singh’s fitness a concern?
She is recovering from a stress fracture and hasn’t played competitive cricket since the WPL.
- What happens if Amanjot Kaur isn’t fully fit?
Selectors may need to bring in an extra pacer like Arundhati Reddy or Kranti Goud.
- What is India’s biggest strength heading into the World Cup?
A largely settled core with form players across batting, bowling, and all-round roles.
