The No. 3 batting position has long been a source of concern for the Indian women’s cricket team. Following the retirement of Mithali Raj, the search for a reliable successor at this crucial spot continued. While Jemimah Rodrigues initially occupied the position, she later moved down the order to exploit her strength against spin bowling. In recent times, Yastika Bhatia and Dayalan Hemalatha emerged as strong contenders for the No. 3 role. However, a surprising twist unfolded as India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar revealed that their captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, would be batting at No. 3 in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
This decision sparked discussions and raised eyebrows, especially considering Harmanpreet’s established dominance at No. 4. She has accumulated a significant amount of runs at that position, including the highest number of runs in the women’s game for that slot, exceeding even England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt. So, what prompted this shift in strategy?
India’s recent struggles with early PowerPlay wickets played a crucial role. Over the past four years, they have lost an opener in the second over 15 times. The player at No. 3 needs to steady the ship and provide a solid foundation for the innings. While Muzumdar didn’t explicitly express dissatisfaction with the previous candidates, Harmanpreet’s experience and consistency likely made her the most reliable choice.
Furthermore, the slow, low-bounce conditions in Dubai are expected to favour Harmanpreet, allowing her more time to settle in and unleash her powerful hitting once she understands the pitch and the opposition. This strategic move also offers India the advantage of an additional bowling option, especially in a spin-friendly venue like Dubai.
This change in batting order could have a significant impact on India’s performance in the tournament. Their strength lies in their opening partnership when they are in rhythm, and they also boast a potent lower middle-order duo in Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma. However, India’s late batting has shown some vulnerability, requiring their top-order to deliver consistently.
With Harmanpreet at No. 3, India aims to create a more balanced and formidable batting lineup, capable of handling the challenges of the tournament. This gamble could potentially prove to be a masterstroke or a tactical misstep. Only time will tell how this new approach will affect India’s quest for the World Cup title.
