3 Reasons why India will lift the ICC Women’s World T20

The first edition of the stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20 has entered its business end with the hosts and defending champions, West Indies set to lock horns with Australia in the first semi-final.

In the second semi-final, India would look to exact revenge on England as the two superpowers of world cricket go toe to toe.

After the culmination of the group stages, India and West Indies remain the only teams with a perfect record. While the hosts are clear favourites to retain their crown, the Indian team seems equally capable of throwing a spanner in their works.

India has been impressive in all its group stage encounters, with them finding a new match-winner on each occasion. Their skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur came to the fore against New Zealand, whereas the experience of Mithali Raj guided them in a tricky chase against arch-rivals Pakistan.

In their third game against Ireland, the spinners reigned supreme while against Australia, Smriti Mandhana was back to her imperious best.

With India seemingly firing on all cylinders, the dream of a first World T20 crown could soon turn into reality. Through this article, we would look at three reasons why India seems primed to lay their hands on the ultimate prize in the shortest format.

Here is a look at them:

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#3. The pitches are conducive to spin bowling

Poonam(L) would hold the key for India

A month before the World T20 began, India’s pace spearhead, Jhulan Goswami announced her retirement from the shortest form of the game. The tall, lanky pacer from Bengal had previously turned out for India in T20s on 68 occasions. Thus, her unexpected departure certainly left a huge void in the pace bowling department.

However, India has been smart. Rather than looking at a replacement for the irreplaceable pacer, they have focussed their resources on stocking their bowling front with spinners.

Against Australia, as many as four front-line spinners took the field with Arundhati Reddy being the only non-spinner. Additionally, the bowling department can also bank on their skipper, Harmanpreet, to come up with the odd over or two.

Hence, the Indian team management would have been delighted with the pitches on offer in the Caribbean. The wickets have been slow, sluggish and conducive to spin bowling. Batswomen have found it hard to create pace off such dead tracks, which has led to the Indian bowling unit prospering excellently.

The Indian spinners have shown excellent control and guile to tie the opposition batswomen in knots. More of the same and the trophy could well be on its way to India.

With the Caribbean heat not showing any signs of letting up, one can expect the pitches to get slower and lower with time. Apart from India, the other teams left in the fray are susceptible to spin. Thus, India should fancy its chances of toppling their rivals and reigning supreme.

#2. A perfect mixture of youth and experience

Mithali provides invaluable experience at the top of the order

The Indian team went into the competition with many players not exposed to multi-nation competition yet. However, as the tournament has gone on, their gamble seems to have paid off handsomely.

At the top of the order, the team has the experienced pairing of Mandhana and Mithali. With them in the mix, one can expect India to get off to good starts more often than not. Additionally, the presence of veterans such as Harmanpreet and Veda Krishnamurthy places the Indian team in good stead to mount substantial totals on the board.

However, the most impressive aspect of this team has been the way its youngsters have excelled. Jemimah Rodrigues has caught the eye with her elegant batting while Hemalatha has contributed with the ball.

On the bowling front, the experienced Poonam Yadav has led the way with her bamboozling brand of leg-spin. The likes of Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma haven’t been bad either with the young pairing coming up trumps when required.

For a well-oiled machine, one needs to boast of experience and youth in equal measure. On the evidence of performances, one can say that India might just have found the right mix.

The 2018 World T20 represents the Indian Women’s team’s best chance yet to lift the trophy and don’t be surprised if their blend of exuberant youth and hardened experience leads them to glory.

#1. A versatile batting line-up

Harmanpreet Kaur has been sensational so far

India started off their 2018 campaign with a bang as they amassed 194 against a strong New Zealand bowling attack. Their protagonist that day was none other than their skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur.

In the next game, they negotiated a tricky track to chase down 134, with Mithali Raj being the chief architect. Their next game saw them pile up 145 against Ireland whereas their last group game saw Mandhana powering them to 167.

The Indian team has three world-class batswomen in their midst. While Mithali is the technically correct, capable of moving through the gears batswomen, Harmanpreet possesses the ability to decimate the opponent and take the game away in the blink of an eye.

However, India's most important player could be Mandhana. The left-hander is pleasing on the eye and is equally adept at playing pace and spin. Moreover, she has portrayed the ability to shift gears at will, depending on the situation.

In addition to the trio, Krishnamurthy is capable of providing fireworks at the back end of an innings while Rodrigues can play the anchor role to perfection.

There aren’t many teams that possess the ability to outscore the opposition. India, courtesy their explosive line-up can boast of that luxury. Additionally, the team has shown the characteristics to not buckle under pressure in a low-scoring chase.

Like always, India’s strength lies in its batting. However, unlike previous years, this batting line-up actually has the capability to be the difference between a semi-final appearance and a World Cup triumph.

As for the Indian fans, they would hope that their team’s much-vaunted versatility lands them their first World Cup triumph.