Former England captain Nasser Hussain stated on Thursday that the Women’s T20 World Cup could not have come at a better moment for Indian players Deepti Sharma and Smriti Mandhana, who had recently been quiet.
Prior to the Women’s T20 World Cup, vice-captain Mandhana could only muster 40 runs in three matches against England, while Deepti had a difficult trip of South Africa for five Twenty20 Internationals earlier this year.
Hussain stated that Mandhana could “surprise” with her form and that the “street-wise” Deepti is an essential member of the Indian team’s starting lineup.
“For me, going into a big game in a big tournament, I would want Deepti Sharma (in). You want people to go into battle with you, street-wise people, and Deepti is absolutely that,” PTI quoted ICC expert Hussain telling reporters on JioStar Media Day.
When asked whether there was a player who could surprise everyone, Hussain mentioned Mandhana, the Indian opener.
“I mentioned Smriti Mandana as well; I saw a question that was relayed to me about ‘what will be the surprise’,” he said.
“It’s not a surprise, but the two (players) that have had quiet little periods recently, this World Cup has come at a perfect time for them because once you’re playing in a World Cup, no one will remember what happened in the bilaterals.
“No one will remember what happened in South Africa, (or) Australia, whatever. It will be, ‘how did you go in this World Cup?’ and certain people raise their game for big tournaments.
“Deepti Sharma is absolutely that. She knows England very well, having played The Hundred here and a lot of games here for India so she knows conditions very well,” he added.
Hussain stated that while India’s aggressive batting strategy is unconcerning, their bowling combination would put a lot of pressure on the team’s think tank.
“I don’t think the issue is with India’s batting, throughout their tour here they batted pretty well. But just their formula with the ball and they can’t protect 170, or they are going for (chasing) 170-180 and then they are under pressure a little bit,” he said.
“I like their fearless batting, their batting depth, (and) Richa Ghosh as their finisher. It is more in the field and with the ball.
“How do they go; do they use Shafali (Verma) as their sixth bowler or fifth bowler? Who do they give the new ball to? I think they are the issues that are most… not concerning, but if you are asking me what is happening in team meetings, it is the combination with the ball that they will be thinking about the most,” he said.
The former captain of England stated that Pakistan will need to perform better against the other elite teams as well as their bitter rivals, India, on Sunday.
“There is obviously a great rivalry across any sport between India and Pakistan but you would say recently in men’s and women’s cricket, it has not been particularly close, especially in ICC events,” he said.
“But it is still India versus Pakistan and it is a format that obviously can cause upsets. We have seen in the warm-up games and even before that, sides like Scotland and Ireland and the Netherlands are playing some very good cricket.”
Although Hussain believes that the “usual suspects” among elite teams will advance to the knockout stage, each of them faces unique difficulties.
“Yeah, it will be the usual suspects. I know Australia have had two, by their standards, poor ICC events. But they are one of the greatest sporting, (or) cricketing teams there has been. They are a top, top side, all the way down.
“I can’t see beyond Australia, but they’re in a difficult group, a group with India and South Africa. You know, the reason Australia have not been winning in the last two world events is because the other sides, (like) India and South Africa, have improved remarkably.”
He continued, “England are playing very good cricket at home (but their) problem will be a knockout game. Even if it’s not a knockout game, effectively a knockout game. When the pressure’s really on and you must win, can they still deliver?
“New Zealand (are the) world champions in this format, everyone forgets that and a good side under Melie Kerr, who I think is a very good captain and leader and player. They’ll be there or thereabouts.” “I’ve got a sneaky feeling about the West Indies. They’ve won this thing in the past. They’re a good side,” he added.
