Women's T20 World Cup 2020: 4 key players for India in the tournament

In 2018, it was quite a heartbreak for the India Women when they lost the semi-finals against England. After having dominated through the league stages, the side faltered under pressure. Thus far, in the six editions of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, India Women never managed to go past the semi-final stage. The side finished as one of the top four in 2009, 2010 and 2018.

Now, heading into the 2020 edition of the tournament, there are a lot of expectations on this side. In the absence of the likes of Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, this young brigade has got a lot of responsibility up its shoulders.

They have faltered in the final of the recent tri-series but will look to make amends in the mega-event. Since there are so many young cricketers in the squad, some of the senior players will have to take up additional responsibility and will be the key for the team in the tournament.

Here are four players who will be crucial for India Women in the upcoming T20 World Cup:

1. Rajeshwari Gayakwad

Having made her international debut back in 2014, Rajeshwari Gayakwad has been around for a while now. She is one of the most experienced players in the squad and has got a big role to fulfil. Thus far in her career, Rajeshwari featured in 23 T20Is.

She accounted for 30 wickets at an economy rate of 6.40. While these figures are decent enough for any bowler, it is her performance in the tri-series against Australia and England which is quite encouraging. She was the best bowler there in terms of the wickets picked.

The slow-left arm spinner featured in all the five games that the team has played and picked up 10 wickets at an average of 12.60. Her economy rate of 6.30 was also impressive. The team will hope that she brings up similar performances in the T20 World Cup as well.

2. Harmanpreet Kaur

In just a couple of years time, Harmanpreet Kaur has transitioned from being a young, aggressive batsman to one of the senior pros in the side. She is easily the best batsman in the middle order and has got the capability to adapt to different situations well. Harmanpreet will have a significant say in how well India will do in this tournament.

She has got the ability to clear the ropes will ease and should combine her aggression with a sense of responsibility. The Indian captain did well in the recent tri-series. She seems to enjoy the bounce and gets on the top of the deliveries quite nicely.

Harmanpreet Kaur scored 118 runs in the five games against Australia and England. However, her strike rate of 94 seemed a little concerning. She should look to play her natural game and should only look to play slow if there is a top-order collapse.

3. Richa Ghosh

At just 16 years of age, Richa Ghosh is one of the youngest members of this Indian World T20 squad. She made her T20I debut in the final of the tri-series against Australia. Moreover, she had a wonderful opportunity to bat at number three in an important chase.

While she couldn’t get a big score, she still finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the innings. Richa tried to take some time in the middle in her first game as Smriti Mandhana went bonkers at the other end. She looked good with the bat and was hitting the ball sweetly.

However, she couldn’t go on to make a big score and got out after scoring 17 off 23 balls. She hit a couple of boundaries during her knock. Richa could be the X-factor for the team and strengthen the middle order if she manages to deliver consistently.

4. Smriti Mandhana

Without Smriti Mandhana, this India T20 World Cup squad seems incomplete. Already, the likes of Mithali Raj and Jhulan are not present. In such a situation, a lot of responsibility lies on this 23-year-old left-hander from Mumbai.

Smriti is a master at piercing through the smallest of gaps and has got the ability to hit the ball past the inner circle comfortably. This is exactly what you’d want from your opener as any team will want to maximize on the powerplay overs. With her aggressive game, Mandhana could be one of the biggest strengths of this side.

Her form recently has been top-notch and she finished as the leading run-scorer in the tri-series with 216 runs in 5 games. The way she raced her way to a 37-ball 66 in the final was a delight to watch. The Indian fans will expect many such big exploits from her in the days to come.