India’s best XI for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

I Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 all set to attract cricket fans as the tournament heads to the UAE. With the matches being played at some of the most prominent stadiums – the Dubai Cricket Stadium and Sharjah – the event is expected to bring excitement and a showcase of talent from around the world. The tournament will witness the world’s best cricket nations fighting for the prestigious title, and with the unique playing conditions of the UAE, promises to test all aspects of the game.

Indian team among the favourites

Indiaone of the favorites of the tournament, has put together a formidable team led by a dynamic Harmanpreet Kaur. Known for their aggressive style and well-organised, Team India has what it takes to win the title this time. With experienced campaigners and young guns coming together, the Indian team looks well equipped to face the challenges of T20 cricket in the UAE. India’s journey in recent ICC tournaments has been impressive, and they will be aiming to take that last step and secure their first T20 World Cup trophy.

India’s best XI for the world event:

1. Smriti Mandhana (vc) – Opening beat

• Role: Vice-Captain and Pilot
• Power: A good left-handed batsman, who can score quickly in the powerplay.
• Expectations: Smriti’s role will be to give India a strong start, using her powerful stroke play and experience to dominate the bowlers early on.

2. Shafali Verma – Opening Beat

• Role: It opens
• Power: Explosive batting, capable of taking on any bowler.
• Expectations: Shafali will partner Mandhana up top and look to use force, putting pressure on the opposition with his fearless style.

3. Jemimah Rodrigues – Middle-Order Batter

• Role: No. 3 Batter
• Power: Strengthening the innings, good shot selection, and adaptability.
• Expectations: Jemimah’s job will be to strengthen the innings behind the openers, provide stability and rotate the strike to keep the momentum going.

4. Harmanpreet Kaur (c) – Middle-Order Batter

• Role: Captain and Power Hitter
• Power: A great batsman, an experienced captain, a game changer in tight situations.
• Expectations: Harmanpreet will be crucial in finishing games and accelerating in the latter half of the innings. His leadership skills will also be important in guiding the team.

5. Deepti Sharma – The All-Rounder

• Role: An all-rounder
• Power: Reliable middle-order batter and effective off-spinner.
• Expectations: Deepti is expected to contribute with both bat and ball, finish the innings well and deliver success with her smart bowling.

6. Richa Ghosh (wk) – Wicketkeeper-Batter

• Role: Wicketkeeper and Finisher
• Power: Explosive low-order batsman, sharp wicket-keeping skills.
• Expectations: Richa will be tasked with adding quick runs at the end and ensuring organized work behind the stumps.

7. Pooja Vastrakar – All-Rounder

• Role: Pace All-rounder
• Power: Hard hitting and active medium speed.
• Expectations: Pooja’s role will be to add depth to the batting and provide success with her seam bowling, especially in the middle overs.

8. Radha Yadav – Spinner

• Role: Left-Arm Orthodox Spinner
• Power: Excellent control, ability to take wickets in the middle overs.
• Expectations: Radha will be expected to keep the pressure on the opponents in the middle overs and take important wickets to break partnerships.

9. Renuka Singh Thakur – Fast Bowler

• Role: The Lead Pacer
• Power: Swing bowler, ready with the new ball.
• Expectations: Renuka will lead India’s attack, swinging the new ball and getting into the opposition batting lineup early.

10. Shreyanka Patil – All-rounder

• Role: An all-rounder
• Power: Batter Dynamic and off-break bowler.
• Expectations: Shreyanka is expected to contribute with the bat and the ball, especially in breaking partnerships during the middle overs.

11. Arundhati Reddy – Fast Bowler

• Role: Fast Bowler
• Power: Steady line and length, effective death bowling.
• Expectations: Arundhati will support Renuka with the new ball and take on the role of bowling crucial overs at the death, aiming to keep the runs in check.

READ MORE: Player of the Tournament in each edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

India’s T20 World Cup strategy

The composition of the Indian team is a combination of experience and youth, with an emphasis on attacking cricket. The openers, Mandhana and Shafali, are expected to make full use of the powerplay, while the middle order will bring stability and acceleration. Rounders like Deepti, Shreyanka, and Vastrakar give India the ability to adapt according to the nature of the game.

The bowling attack, led by Renuka, offers a mix of pace and spin, making India a well-rounded side capable of handling different conditions in the UAE. The spinners, Radha and Deepti, will be important on slower tracks, while the pacers, Renuka and Arundhati, will look to exploit any seam movement on offer.

With a strong batting line-up, versatile all-rounders, and an efficient bowling unit, Team India has the right ingredients to compete strongly for the title and emerge as the champions of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.

READ MORE: 5 Indian players to watch in 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup

This article was originally published on WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.