IND v HK, Asia Cup preview: Indian middle

IND v HK, Asia Cup preview: Indian middle-order in focus after opening collapse

The Women in Blue, the most successful team in the tournament’s history, enters its second encounter against Hong Kong as the favourites but will want to stamp their authority more vehemently this time.

The Hong Kong game will be crucial given India faces Pakistan in a high-octane and geopolitically charged group encounter later in the week.
| Photo Credit: X/ Asian Cricket Council

India might have registered a thumping 94-run win over Thailand in its Women’s Asia Cup campaign opener, but the game left the side’s middle order frailties dangerously exposed.

India was comfortable at 101 for two in 10 overs and looked set for a big total but crumbled quite spectacularly to only manage 159. Thailand bowlers kept things tight and remarkably gave away just three extras, the first of which came in the 17th over.

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The Hong Kong game will be crucial given India faces Pakistan in a high-octane and geopolitically charged group encounter later in the week.

Shafali Verma, who led with a brisk 64 against Thailand, was a bright spot for India while Deepti Sharma was unplayable, taking three wickets without conceding a run. The seesawing battle between her and Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong for the title of highest wickettaker in women’s T20Is. Putthawong has taken the record back with her three-wicket haul against Pakistan and Deepti has an opportunity to surge ahead when Hong Kong comes calling.

Smriti Mandhana got off to a good start but fell cheaply, while debutant Pratika Rawal, eventually slowed down and fell for just 22 off 18 balls.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who managed just five runs off nine balls, also has critics to answer after the Indian think tank came under the scanner for not effecting a captaincy transition in this tournament.

The Asia Cup will prove to be crucial preparation for the Asian Games in Japan.

Hong Kong comes into this game after a narrow six-run defeat to Thailand in its campaign opener, failing to chase 121 for a win. The bowling unit — like the other associate members — was formidable with pacer Marina Lamplough registering impressive figures of 4/11. She will be important in Hong Kong’s plans, particularly against India’s formidable opening pair.

SQUADS

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (wk), Gunalan Kamalini (wk), Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, Radha Yadav.

Hong Kong:Mariko Hill, Yasmin Daswani (WK), Maryam Bibi (C), Marina Lamplough, Kary Chan, Shanzeen Shahzad, Joyleen Kaur, Shing Chan Dorothea, Alison Siu, Charlotte Chan, Ruchitha Venkatesh, Natasha Miles, Iqra Sahar, Kaur Mahekdeep, Hailey Wong.

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Source: sportstar.thehindu.com