Slow and sluggish: India Women's outdated ODI approach could lead to another World Cup failure

Why India approach won't work against big teams [Source: AFP Photo]

The India vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup match was expected to be a riveting battle, but the India innings turned out to be a snoozefest as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side scored only x runs while batting first. The surface was a bit tricky, but Pakistan had an average bowling attack as the Indian batters failed to take advantage.

The Indian batters couldn’t get out of jail, and this was the same pattern that was observed during India’s opening fixture against Sri Lanka. The slow and steady pace of batting in ODIs might just work against Pakistan, but if India is to win the World Cup, it won’t work against the powerhouses like Australia and England.

India's slow approach that could ruin their World Cup

Batting first against Pakistan, the Indian batters scored runs at a slow pace, and this hampered their game as the Pakistan bowlers never allowed them to run away with the contest. The Women in Green doesn’t have a quality ODI attack, and yet, the Indians played a conservative brand of cricket and the data tells the story.

(India's top 4 vs Pakistan)

• As the table suggests, India’s top four were mostly horrendous with their approach against Pakistan, and the stats reveal everything. While Pratika Rawal tried to be aggressive, the senior players in Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Harleen Deol failed to up the ante and slowed down the proceedings.
• Mandhana had a strike rate of 72, while Harleen crossed the 70-mark, and Harmanpreet, known for her aggressive approach, ended with a strike rate of 55.88.

This approach might even work against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, but if India is to clinch the World Cup, they need to re-think about their strategy.

Why this outdated approach will lead India to World Cup exit

There is a difference in quality when it comes to the Asian sides. While India Women’s team is the best in Asia, the other sides do not have the same quality, and hence, India can get away with their outdated approach.

The likes of Australia, the defending champions, South Africa, and New Zealand are all experienced sides, and they won’t allow India to get away so easily. If with this same sluggish approach, India scores 250 runs, these big teams have the batting depth and prowess to chase it down with ease.

Against the big sides, India need a proactive batting approach, instead of a timid batting, as witnessed during the Pakistan clash.

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