Follow UsIndia have a real headache in front of them, after incumbent opener Pratika Rawal was injured during the rain-curtailed encounter against Bangladesh. Who opens the innings? While all-rounder Amanjot Kaur was tasked with the responsibility in that clash, India’s all-time great, Mithali Raj, had a different name on her mind for that opening position.
Mithali suggested that India could just promote No.3 Harleen Deol to open the innings, given that she’s already accustomed to facing the new ball.
“The question now is who opens with Smriti if Pratika isn’t fit to take the field on the 30th. The first option could be promoting number three, Harleen, since she’s often walked in early and is comfortable facing the new ball,” Mithali said on JioStar during India’s rain-curtailed clash against Bangladesh.
“Ideally, today was a great opportunity for Harleen to open and build that equation with Smriti, assuming Pratika might not be available. If Pratika is fit, the same batting line-up continues. But sending Amanjot to open was something I didn’t quite understand. Yes, she needed some time out in the middle, but perhaps she could’ve slotted in at number three instead of opening,” she added.
However, since then, India have added Shafali Verma to the squad, which now adds a new layer of selection tangent for the management. Shafali last played a WODI back in 2024 against New Zealand, and since then, has shown her good form in both domestic cricket and for India A.
India’s selection conundrum might extend if Richa Ghosh’s injury doesn’t heal in time before the semi-final, as they would be fielding Uma Chetry, which slightly weakens the batting unit. India take on Australia in the second semi-final on October 30 (Thursday).