Monday, February, 10,2025

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A REMARKABLE TURNAROUND FOR INDIAN WOMEN’S CRICKET!

In the world of cricket, momentum is often everything and at the start of 2025, the Indian women’s cricket team seems to be riding high on a positive wave. Just a few months ago, questions were raised about the team’s leadership, form, and ability to compete at the highest level.The loss to Australia in the series preceding this resurgence was a big blow. But Indian women’s team has made a complete flip in the year of the ODI World Cup, giving fans plenty of joy and excitement.

The remarkable turnaround began when India comprehensively defeated the West Indies in both One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 (T20) formats. However, it was their recent 3-0 ODI series victory over Ireland that truly highlighted their rejuvenation, as India not only won the series easily but also set new records with some superlative individual performances.

When Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy came under scrutiny after a disappointing T20 World Cup show and the subsequent loss to Australia, there was a widespread call for change. Amid these discussions, the Indian team found themselves in a period of uncertainty. It was during this turbulent time that Smriti Mandhana, took charge of the team’s leadership.

Kaur, sidelined with an injury, passed the captaincy over to Mandhana. The change came at a crucial moment, but Mandhana has since proven to be a worthy leader, as India’s performances have soared. Under her leadership, the team notched up an unblemished 3-0 sweep against Ireland, an achievement that came with plenty of highs, especially in batting.

Mandhana, in particular, has been in exceptional form. She has turned in one stunning knock after another, anchoring the Indian innings with grace and power. Her batting form has not only been crucial in India’s series wins but also a personal resurgence for the star batter.

While Mandhana’s leadership and form have been key to India’s recent success, it’s been the emergence of new talent that has been equally exciting. One of the standout moments in the series against Ireland was the recordbreaking partnership between the young prodigy, Pratika Rawal, and Mandhana. Their partnership not only propelled India to their highest-ever total of 435 in ODIs but also culminated in a victory by the largest margin in the team’s history.

The performance of Rawal, a rising star, alongside Mandhana’s experience, showcased the depth that India is starting to build in its batting lineup. This gives the Indian team much-needed flexibility and firepower ahead of big tournaments, especially the ODI World Cup that will be hosted in India later this year.

Though the batting has been in the spotlight, India’s bowling attack has also played an instrumental role in their recent triumphs. Deepti Sharma, often recognized for her all-round abilities, has been phenomenal with the ball, especially during the series against Ireland. The all-rounder picked up 7 wickets in the series, showcasing her consistency and skill in both the powerplay and middle overs.

Deepti’s ability to control the game with her disciplined off-spin, coupled with her knack for breaking key partnerships, has made her a vital cog in the Indian bowling attack. Her recent performances have provided balance to the side, and her growing confidence will be vital as India prepares for the challenges ahead.

Despite these impressive performances, the Indian team is not without its shortcomings. The fielding department, in particular, remains an area of great concern. While the team has made significant strides in various aspects of the game, dropped catches continue to be a grave problem. In the recent series against Ireland, the Indian team saw multiple opportunities go begging. It’s a worrying trend that could prove costly in close matches, especially in high-stakes encounters with higherranked opponents.

A few dropped catches in critical moments during the Ireland series could have shifted the momentum in Ireland’s favor, but India managed to overcome those blips. Nevertheless, the Indian team will need to sharpen their fielding, as a World Cup on home soil demands perfection in every aspect of the game. If they can address these lapses, India will be a truly formidable force in the global ODI event.

As Indian eves look towards the ODI World Cup later in the year, the signs are promising.But the journey is far from complete. There is still considerable room for improvement, and Team India will need to capitalize on the momentum generated in the new year. With a bunch of young players finding their feet, the Indian team seems poised for greater success.

In case the current intensity in performances is maintained on a regular basis, India’s future in women’s cricket looks bright. If they remain consistent and committed, the ODI World Cup could well be the stage where Indian eves announce themselves as a dominant force in world cricket.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Siddhaarth Mahan, The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry

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