Women's World Cup 2022: Ahead of West Indies tie, India head coach Ramesh Powar seeks more from seniors

West Indies will seek a third successive win and take a step closer to the semi-finals, India, having lost to New Zealand, know another defeat will make it hard for them to go deep in the 50-over competition.

With their problems far from sorted, India run into form team West Indies in Hamilton on Saturday. Coached by former fast bowling great Courtney Walsh, West Indies have won against New Zealand and defending champions England, teams they were not expected to beat having come into the Women’s World Cup via the qualifiers which couldn’t be completed because of Covid-19. Since West Indies were ranked seventh when that was called off, they made the cut for the eight-team competition.

India are yet to figure out the right combination  (AP)

So, while West Indies will seek a third successive win and take a step closer to the semi-finals, India, having lost to New Zealand, know another defeat will make it hard for them to go deep in the 50-over competition.

Senior players such as Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle, Stafanie Taylor have led West Indies’ charge in New Zealand. That can’t be said for India.

“I expect everyone from the top five (batters) to be consistent. I want seniors to be putting their hand up like Mithali (Raj), Smriti (Mandhana), Jhulan (Goswami) and win us the game single-handedly. Their contribution will rub off on the younger players because we have (some) inexperienced players in the squad. I’m trying to build players here who will help India win the World Cup,” said India coach Romesh Powar.

Powar was appointed head coach in 2021 replacing WV Raman who had taken over from him in 2018.

Even after being in New Zealand for over a month, Powar and Raj are still to figure out the right combination. It was surprising to see India sending three left-hand batters, openers Yastika Bhatia and Mandhana followed by Deepti Sharma at No. 3, in Wednesday’s 62-run defeat to New Zealand. Powar defended the decision to not have a left-right combination to unsettle bowlers but said, “going forward, yes, we are going to look at it tactically. It gives an advantage to opponents.”

At No. 4, Raj’s form and slow strike rate is also worrying. Not known to be a big hitter, Raj has struggled to get singles and twos and that has increased pressure on batters following her. She scored 31 in 56 balls against New Zealand and 9 off 36 deliveries in the 107-run win against Pakistan.

Walsh took charge in October 2020 after West Indies lost 0-5 to England and four previous series as well. The turnaround has been superb with West Indies winning two of their next three series.