ICC Women's World Cup: Five reasons why India can lift the trophy

The biggest event in women’s cricket is about to commence in a day’s time as tournament favourites and hosts, England, take on India in the inaugural match of the eleventh edition of the ICC Women’s World Cup at Derby.

The Indian team are currently enduring a dream run on the international circuit, and their dominant performances in the recent past make them one of the dark horses coming into this iconic tournament.

Take a look at the five reasons why the Indian eves can lift their first ever World Cup title.

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#5 Ideal preparation for the mega event

The team ensured a place in the Women’s World Cup after winning the Qualifiers in February

After a dismal T-20 World Cup at home last year, the Indian team got back to winning ways with some consistent performances in the tournaments that followed. They whitewashed the West Indies at home in a three-match One-Day International series at Vijaywada.

The Indian team then had to compete in the ICC Women’s Qualifiers held in Sri Lanka earlier this year to ensure a place in the ICC Women’s World Cup. The girls not only performed consistently to seal their berth in the mega event but also produced one of the best run chases in the finals of the tournament.

Chasing 245 in the summit clash, the Indian team outclassed the Proteas by one wicket in a nail-biting finish at the P Sara Oval in Colombo with stand-in captain, Harmanpreet Kaur playing a marvellous innings under pressure to help the team lift the ICC Women’s Qualifiers Cup.

The next hurdle for the ladies before the World Cup was the Quadrangular series in South Africa. The team entered the tournament as firm favourites and clinched a comprehensive victory by eight wickets over the hosts in the final.

#4 Solid opening combination

Punam Raut has been solid at the top of the order

One of the primary reasons for the recent success of the Indian team is the stable platform laid by their opening pair. The combination of Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut at the top of the order has worked wonders for the fortunes of the side as they have consistently performed well, giving the team a solid base.

The duo recorded a rare feat in a match against Ireland as they smashed 320 runs together for the opening stand and scripted their way into the record books by registering the highest partnership in the history of the game.

The fortunes of the Indian side in the tournament will largely depend on the performances of their in-form opening combination as they need to provide a solid foundation for the team at the top of the order.

#3 Formidable middle order

The hard-hitting batter will be the key for India in the middle order

In Mithali Raj, India have one of the most experienced players in world cricket. The stylish right-handed batter is the second highest run-getter in the international circuit and will shoulder the responsibility of the team with the bat.

With thousands of runs and big match experience under her belt, Raj is a vital cog in this young batting unit. Competing in her fifth World Cup, she will be well supported by Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy in the middle order.

The team will also be boosted by the comebacks of Smriti Mandhana and Mona Meshram in the high voltage tournament. While Meshram was a part of the squad in the last edition, Smriti will be competing in her first ICC World Cup.

Despite being plagued by injury in the lead-up to the tournament, Smriti has fond memories of playing in England as she recorded her first half century in the longest format of the game in a one-off Test match against the hosts at Wormsley last year.

#2 Potent bowling attack

Shikha Pandey made a significant contribution to the team in the last season

Coming into the tournament, the Indian team have backed their strengths by picking three spinners in the 15 member squad. Along with them, the skipper can utilise the services of Deepti Sharma in the middle overs. Sharma is known to bowl a steady line and length with her off-spinners and has often been used by Mithali Raj early in the innings to keep the run rate under control.

With Jhulan Goswami opening the attack for the team along with Shikha Pandey, the opening combination looks formidable for any opposition batting unit. Goswami is one of the most experienced bowlers in world cricket and also the highest wicket taker in the shorter format of the game.

While Shikha Pandey has been present with the side for a long time, her performances in recent tournaments have shown the talent possessed by the young medium pacer from Goa. The duo can dismantle the batting unit of the opposition with their potent swing and control.

#1 Young fielding unit

The fielding standards of the team will be the key

The Indian team are coming into the tournament with plenty of new faces in the squad. Although they lack the experience of playing in high-pressure situations, the young team have the capability to turn things around through their fielding prowess.

The extended boundaries at the stadium will help the Indian team as the youngsters can cover the ground quickly and save plenty of runs in the outfield. With fielding being considered as an important aspect in the shorter format of the game, the Indian team will be looking at this opportunity to strangle the opposition batters with some quality fielding inside the circle and build the pressure.