Two wins, but no sparkles. A cautious waltz has taken over as the manner of beginning the women’s World Cup campaign for India. Against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the results have been gratifying, and the form not so much. So, the question is: is India’s stuttered beginning the canary in the coal mine, or is it the slow burn before the fireworks?
On the face of it, India’s unbeaten record in the tournament looks good, having won both their matches comfortably against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Delve a little deeper, however, and the news isn’t all good. In both cases, the early losses have shown the brittleness of the Indian top order. From Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, with all their experience, we have yet to see any fireworks. The run rate has dropped in the middle overs to an alarming degree below normal, and it was only the obstinacy shown by the lower order on both occasions that saved them from rout.
Scratch Wins and the Smriti Silence
India’s top order looks caught between intent and insecurity. Smriti Mandhana’s early dismissals have hurt both rhythm and confidence. Her front-foot drives, once the hallmark of Indian batting, have turned tentative. Harmanpreet Kaur, too, seems overly reactive, unable to dictate tempo. What’s more worrying is India’s run rate dip between overs 10–25, averaging below 4.5 runs per over so far, a number that simply won’t hold up against elite attacks.
That tactical conservatism forces the middle order to rebuild rather than accelerate. Credit to Deepti and Amanjot Kaur, who have turned rescue missions into winning totals, but those were against teams with limited pace threats. On flatter surfaces to come, India’s challenge will shift; they must bat proactively, not protectively.
Nerves in the Comfort Zone
There’s a paradox in India’s play: they’re winning comfortably, yet visibly anxious. The home pressure record crowds in Guwahati, noisy expectation in Colombo can suffocate even seasoned pros. Mandhana, in particular, seems burdened by expectation. For a side used to chasing, batting first in both matches has exposed their mental rhythm.
The silver lining? The lower middle order is finally responding under pressure. Richa Ghosh’s free-flowing innings against Pakistan was a reminder of how fearlessness can flip the script. In a team long reliant on its top three, the sight of numbers five and six carrying India home is psychologically liberating, a shift towards a more collective batting identity.
Trends That Tell the Tale
A few numbers underline India’s “scratchy dominance”:
- Top 3 average: 27.3 — below the tournament’s top-six average of 42.
- Middle order (Nos. 4–7): Contributed 48% of India’s total runs so far — a sharp contrast to their 29% share in the Australia series.
- Bowling economy: Deepti Sharma boasts an economy of 3.8 and six wickets in two outings. A reasonable indication of her ability to control the game, especially since India spilled four catches in each of the two contests. These figures, however, are a two-edged sword, a difficult but imperfect collection. To be able to recover is one thing; a continual requirement for rescues is quite a different phenomenon.
Comparative View: The Slow Starters’ Advantage
History has shown that it favors teams that are a little uncertain at the start, but peak when it matters. Think of India’s men’s team in 2011 – a cautiously slow start, but they were absolutely unbeatable by the quarter finals. Or consider England’s women’s team in 2017, where they lost to India on the opening match, and they turned it around completely to take home the crown.
India’s current pattern feels eerily similar. The lack of early dominance might actually be healthy it exposes soft spots before the pressure peaks. The venues ahead, particularly Indore and Navi Mumbai, will favor stroke-making. That means form could snowball quickly once Mandhana or Harmanpreet find rhythm.
India’s first two matches were neither spectacular nor alarming, just revealing. They exposed tactical conservatism, middle-order depth, and fielding flaws all at once. And that’s actually the best kind of early lesson.
Key Takeaway: India’s scratchy start isn’t a weakness; it’s rehearsal for dominance.
FAQs
- Why has India’s top order struggled?
Because early wickets and cautious intent have slowed their scoring momentum, especially in the power play.
- What’s working well for India so far?
The middle order’s rescue acts and Deepti Sharma’s disciplined bowling have kept India ahead.
- Can India sustain success against stronger teams?
Yes, but only if their top order finds fluency and the fielding errors are ironed out quickly.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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