There’s natural talent and stroke making abilities aplenty in much of India’s batting department. Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant credentials are redoubtable and known to all. In Shafali Verma, there’s among
the biggest and most powerful hitters of the cricket ball (she began India’s T20 26 campaign with a huge six against Pakistan). There’s a world class and technically correct batter in the form of Jemimah Rodrigues.
Furthermore, there’s a world class and truly experienced batter in the form of captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, who fresh from the success of the 2025 ICC ODI Women’s World Cup is searching for a maiden title in the 20-over format. There’s tons of experience further down the order in the form of Deepti Sharma and the destructive Richa Ghosh. But where does India’s problem lie after all, if you were to think?
Apparently, the world class all-time leading run scorer for India and her former captain, Mithali Raj has figured it out and just ahead of the soon-to-begin big World Cup contest against the Laura Wolvaardt-led Proteas women side.
So the big question is, what did the famously calm and patient world class batter from India have as her key observation?
Whilst there’s surely tremendous depth in the rich batting order of India and plenty of wicket taking experience, as per Mithali Raj there seems to be a bit of an issue in terms of role clarity especially where the bowling department is concerned. Moreover, she has also cited that there’s a clear lack of effectiveness in the bowling department where it comes to the Harmanpreet-led India side.
So let’s delve into the biggest weaknesses first before we underline the key strengths:
Major Weaknesses
Powerplay concern: Mithali Raj has shared that the main concern over here is the team’s lack of ability to strike big in the early stages of the contest. The first six overs being the key, especially in such pivotal tournaments such as the T20 World Cup matter. The lack of taking big wickets regularly in the first 6 overs is an area that the team ought to improve upon.
A lack of clarity in of bowling role: as far as the structuring and execution roles of the key members is concerned, then this is an area that needs some working particularly since big games against giants like Australia and the forthcoming game against Proteas is concerned
Middle-Order seems fragile: Raj believes that the team is dependent on the big match winners such as Smriti and Jemimah. But what about the functionality of those in the middle order. Can they truly step up to score big when the top order fails to fire or will that sort of scenario expose the frailties of India’s middle order.
Injury Setbacks: Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav are the two key absentees in this particular World Cup campaign and this could come to haunt India. As the big game changing potential with these white ball exponents is already redoubtable and something India could well miss in crunch games!
Big strengths
Strong Opening Combination:
Mithali Raj placed a lot of faith in the opening partnership led by Smriti Mandhana, believing the top order has the ability to provide a steady and positive start.
Spin Bowling Advantage: India’s long-standing strength in spin bowling, supported by experienced campaigners, remains a major asset, especially when it comes to controlling the game during the middle overs.
Reliable Finishers: Richa Ghosh, along with the seasoned middle-order batters, has the capability to guide the innings through crucial phases and shift gears effectively in the final overs. We’ve already seen the firebrand batting that Richa provided as impetus in games against Pakistan right at the start. She can be destructive and score breezily on any given day
