ICC Women’s World T20 2018: 5 key players for India

The Indian women’s team will be taking part in the prestigious 10-team ICC Women’s World T20 2018 to be held in West Indies from 9th to 24th November.

Since its inception in 2009, India does not have a good record in the World T20 tournaments with their best performances being a semi-final appearance in the 2009 and 2010 editions. In the 2018 edition, under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team are alongside Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Pakistan in Group B.

India begins the tournament against New Zealand on Friday, followed by the encounter against arch-rivals Pakistan on 11th, against Ireland on 15th and final group match on 17th against Australia.

With a mix of youth and experience and a few players, who have played in T20 leagues around the world, let us take a look at the top 5 Indian players key to India's chances in ICC WWT20 2018

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#1 Smriti Mandhana

The stylish left-handed batter played for Western Storm in the Kia Super League 2018 was the tournament's top run-getter with 421 runs from 10 matches (9 innings) at an amazing strike rate of 174.68 during 2018. In the tournament, she smashed 2 half centuries and 1 century. She also scored the joint fastest half-century off 19 balls and also scored 102 off 61 balls against Lancashire Thunder.

In T20I format for India, Mandhana played 47 matches so far, scoring 868 runs at a strike rate of over 110 with the highest score of 76.

In limited overs format this year, Mandhana has been in superb form against South Africa, Australia and England. With the way she is playing at the present moment, the Indian team will be looking at her to provide a good start and help post a big total.

In 2018, Mandhana has played 20 T20I matches for India (18 innings) and scored 444 runs with a strike rate of 132.93. She has scored 4 half centuries, including her career-best tally of 76 this year and she will be looking to continue that in the WWT20.

#2 Mithali Raj

Her experience will be crucial at the top of the order

The most experienced player in the side, Mithali Raj has been the backbone of the Indian batting line-up. So far she has played, 82 T20I matches for India, scoring 2176 runs with a highest score of 97*.

In 2018, she has played 19 matches (17 innings) and scored 468 runs at an average of 33.42, including 5 fifties. She is the third highest run-getter in this format.

Her ability to play both the pace bowlers and spinners well makes her one of the best batters in the world. The Indian team will be relying on her to provide a good start along with Mandhana to give the middle order a chance to build on a big total. With Raj playing her last World T20 tournament, Indian team would be hoping that the experienced player scores big runs and helps the side go further than they have before.

#3 Harmanpreet Kaur

Kaur is a vital cog in the middle-order

Harmanpreet Kaur will be leading the side in this year’s edition and hoping to bring glory for the country. She has played 88 T20I matches (77 innings) and scored 1703 runs. Her ability to hit big sixes make her a dangerous batter to bowl to. As a part-time bowler, she is also incredibly effective and provides an all-round threat to the opposition as is evident from her 24 wickets at an economy of just 6.19.

In 2018, Kaur has played 20 matches ( 12 innings) and picked up 9 wickets at an economy of 7.15. She is also the second leading run-getter with 480 runs (17 innings) with two half-centuries.

If the wickets fall early, the Indian team will be relying on her to play a captain's knock and help the side win. She will also be key as both a part-time spinner and as a captain.

#4 Pooja Vastrakar

She is an integral part of India's bowling line-up

The young Indian all-rounder will be looking to showcase her talent in West Indies and show just how far she has come since making her T20I debut for India on the tour of South Africa in 2018.

She has played 11 T20I matches for India so far and scored 85 runs at a strike rate of 137.09 and has also taken 12 wickets. Her ability to hit big shots and provide the finishing touch will crucial to the side when they need quick runs.

She will be eager to prove her worth with the bat and ball. Playing her first major tournament, the talented all-rounder will be eager to contribute and help India go a long way in the competition.

#5 Deepti Sharma

Her

all-round

exploits will be key for India

Deepti Sharma is a talented young all-rounder, who bowls off-spin and bats left-handed. She made her T20I debut for India in 2016 and has since played 19 matches but hasn't managed to have the same impact she has with the ball, with the bat.

With the ball, she has taken 18 wickets from 19 matches with an economy of 6 runs per over but she has scored just 95 runs so far. Playing her first World T20 tournament, Deepti will be an important part in the team as someone who could bowl in the middle overs and can strike big with the bat.

In 2018, she has taken 13 wickets from 14 matches at an economy of 6.41 runs per over. With India playing all their group games in Guyana, which is expected to help the spinners, she can create plenty of trouble for the opposition batters.