India's changed approach a blueprint for World Cup success

It is important to show some intent when you bat in the first 10 overs

In a pre-match press conference ahead of India's game against the West Indies, Ramesh Power minced no words in highlighting the plan for the Women in Blue in this must-win encounter. 

After a dismal performance with the bat, especially in the field restrictions, the finalists of the last edition of the World Cup bounced back in a commanding fashion to register a thumping 155- run win in their third league match of the mega event at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. 

While India fell short by 62 runs against the White Ferns a couple of nights ago, the manner of the defeat and the lack of intent by the top order was the talking point of that game. 

The Women in Blue managed 26 for 2 in the first 10 overs. However, as Yastika Bhatia and Smriti Mandhana walked out to open the batting against the Windies, a million eyes were glued to the television sets to witness India's intent. 

And well, the duo did not disappoint the head coach and the fans as they smashed 49 runs off the first six overs before Yastika was dismissed for 31 off 21. Despite the stutter, Mandhana and Mithali continued to keep the scoreboard ticking before a soft dismissal resulted in the downfall of the skipper.   

However, Deepti Sharma joined Mandhana, and the duo took the Indian team to 62 for 2 in the field restrictions, much to the contrasting start they endured against New Zealand. 

Prior to this game, the Women in Blue struggled to get going in the powerplay and had a ball per boundary ratio of 30, the lowest among all the teams in this World Cup. 

After a sedate start against Pakistan and a below-par batting display against the White Ferns, the team management called for a changed approach from the top-order along with Mithali walking in at number three. 

Despite being under enormous pressure after her lukewarm performance in her World Cup debut, Yastika scored six boundaries in her innings to help the team take advantage of the field restriction. Her aggressive style of play resulted in the Women in Blue racing to 50 in the first seven overs and ensure India climb up to the fourth position by scoring a boundary every 12.8 deliveries in the first ten overs. 

Harmanpreet's timely return to form

Despite losing three early wickets, the Women in Blue were propelled to their highest score in the World Cup history of 317 runs courtesy of centuries from Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. 

While the southpaw has been one of the consistent performers for the side in the last couple of years, Harmanpreet has blown hot and cold since her record-breaking knock of an unbeaten 171 against Australia in the semi-finals of the 2017 World Cup. 

The 32-year old answered her critics in an emphatic manner as she smashed a half-century in the last game against New Zealand and followed it up with a scintillating hundred to become the only Indian player to record three hundred at the iconic event. 

Struggle to create inroads in the opposition batting unit 

While all the attention has been on India's batting in the first 10 overs, there is one glaring issue that needs immediate attention for the Women in Blue. 

In the three matches played thus far, India have managed to pick up only a solitary wicket at balls per wicket ratio of 180, the worst in the first 10 overs of the innings. They have conceded 158 runs at an economy rate of 5.2 runs, the worst in this edition of the World Cup. 

Aggressive bowling in the middle overs

With the new ball attack under the pump, India have succeeded to wrest back the momentum in the middle overs in two out of their three league matches. 

The Women in Blue have managed to scalp 21 wickets in the middle overs with a ball per wicket ratio of 25.7, the best among all the teams in the World Cup. 

With the exploits of Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar and Sneh Rana, India have managed to dent the opposition batting units in the middle-overs.

And just like skipper Mithali stated in the post-match conference, "Could not have asked anything better than today's display" the Indian fans would also hope the team replicates today's heroics and inch closer to the elusive world title.