India dropped middle‑order batter Jemimah Rodrigues to bring fast bowler Renuka Singh back into the side for its Women’s ODI World Cup clash with England on Sunday at the Holkar Stadium. The switch was made after England won the toss and decided to bat first.
The match is a must‑win for India, who have collected only two victories from their first four games. Their goal is clear: secure a win, avoid a third loss and make the semi‑finals after a brief break.
India’s strategy
India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, explained the coach’s decision. “Renuka is a master of inswingers – England struggled against that bowling in their abandoned game in Colombo against Pakistan. Adding her gives us a full six‑bowler attack,” she said. The change means India lose a specialist batter, but the extra pace is a confidence booster.
“Karma has kept us playing well even after a setback. This game matters, and we’re going to enjoy it,” Kaur added.
England’s line‑up
England remain unbeaten, with three wins and a wash‑out. A victory over India would cement their place in the semi‑finals, as Australia and South Africa already occupy the other two spots.
To strengthen the bowling attack, England brought back Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone after they recovered from illnesses, replacing Em Arlott and Sarah Glenn. “We want to use the pitch to our advantage and set a big total. The outfield is quick, and we must play sharp fielding to keep the ball in," said Kelley, England’s captain.
She stressed the importance of partnerships and teamwork. “The fans are loud, but we focus on the game. We still have three tough matches ahead and aim to get the points we need,” Kelley said.
Pitch conditions
The Holkar Stadium pitch is expected to produce a run‑fest. Former India skipper Mithali Raj described the surface as “very hard” and well‑rolled. The venue has already hosted two games with average scores of 275, indicating it’s friendly for batters.
“With a decent grass cover, seamers may find help early on, but it will be a high‑scoring affair,” Raj said.
Playing XI
India: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur
England: Amy Jones (wk), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver‑Brunt (c), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
India’s fast bowler Renuka Singh and England’s newly refreshed lineup will clash in a match that could define the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 trajectory. Fans can expect gritty bowling, spirited batting and a high‑scoring showdown under the Delhi lights.
Source: ianslive
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