Anjum Chopra urges Harmanpreet Kaur to bat higher for India’s success in Women’s T20 World Cup

With the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching in the UAE, India’s team is gearing up for their opening match against New Zealand on October 4. Former India captain Anjum Chopra has raised key considerations for the team, particularly around the batting order and bowling combination.

Chopra via Inside Sport, emphasized the need for India to field six bowlers instead of their usual five-bowler strategy. She suggested that including spinner S Asha in the playing XI could bring balance to the team. Alongside Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil, seamers Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka Singh Thakur are likely to be the preferred choices, while a decision between Radha Yadav and Asha remains crucial.

“India needs to think out-of-the-box and perhaps include three different kinds of spinners,” said Chopra to Inside Sport, advocating for Asha to be part of the XI. She believes this would offer the team more flexibility, especially since the five-bowler strategy didn’t fare well against South Africa or Sri Lanka.

Additionally, Chopra suggested a significant change in the batting order. “Harmanpreet Kaur should move up to No. 3, which would allow players like Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma to bat higher,” she said. This adjustment could offer a more solid structure for India’s batting line-up, ensuring that the captain’s experience is used to its fullest potential.

As the tournament draws near, these strategic adjustments could play a vital role in India’s quest for T20 World Cup success.