Team India Squad Announced For The Bangladesh Series – SWOT Analysis

Team India squad was announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India ahead of the much-anticipated Bangladesh tour featuring five T20 internationals. The five-match series between India and Bangladesh is scheduled to kick off on April 28 and will run until May 9. All matches are set to take place at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Asha Sobhana and Sajana Sajeevan have earned their debut call-ups to the national team following their standout performances in the 2024 Women’s Premier League. Sobhana shone for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, claiming 12 wickets, and securing the second spot in the list of leading wicket-takers. On the other hand, Sajeevan, an all-rounder for Mumbai Indians, showcased her skills with a strike rate of 158.18 and two wickets.

Jemimah Rodrigues, who delivered a stellar performance for Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2024, scoring 235 runs in nine games, has been rested due to a back injury. In her absence, the Indian team will rely on the likes of Shreyanka Patil, the Purple Cap winner, of WPL 2024 and the returning Dayalan Hemalatha, who makes her comeback after a hiatus since October 2022. Additionally, Smriti Mandhana, the victorious captain of RCB, will serve as the vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team.

Renuka Singh, Titas Sadhu, and Pooja Vastrakar will spearhead the pace attack for the Indian squad, while left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque, adds depth to the bowling department.

What is the Schedule of the series?

Date	Day	Fixture	Venue	Time (in IST)
28th April	Sunday	1st T20I	SICS, Sylhet	6:00 PM
30th April	Tuesday	2nd T20I	SICS, Sylhet	6:00 PM
2nd May	Thursday	3rd T20I	SICS, Sylhet	1:30 PM
6th May	Monday	4th T20I	SICS, Sylhet	1:30 PM
9th May	Thursday	5th T20I	SICS, Sylhet	6:00 PM

 

Who is included in the 16-member India Squad?

Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sajana Sajeevan, Richa Ghosh (Wicket-Keeper), Yastika Bhatia (Wicket-Keeper), Radha Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

Leadership: Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy and Smriti Mandhana’s vice-captaincy form a robust leadership duo. Kaur’s extensive experience in leading the team, coupled with Mandhana’s strategic insights, provides stability and direction to the squad.

In the last tour of Bangladesh, although Harmanpreet Kaur was tested across all fronts, she ensured India won the T20I series 2-1 and drew the ODI series 1-1. Smriti Mandhana, the victorious skipper for RCB in the just concluded Women’s Premier League would be the ideal deputy to guide her captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

The duo’s experience and ability to make quick decisions under pressure and effectively communicate with teammates can positively influence the team’s performance on the field.

Batting Depth: India’s batting line-up is its strength, boasting renowned players like Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, and Harmanpreet Kaur who are both coming off a good season at the WPL 2024.

These players have consistently delivered match-winning performances, showcasing their ability to score runs across formats. In the last series versus the same opposition in 2023, Harmanpreet Kaur topped the batting charts emerging as the #1 run-getter with 94 runs in the T20I series.

The inclusion of Richa Ghosh, Dayalan Hemalatha, and Yastika Bhatia adds depth and flexibility to the batting order, ensuring resilience even in challenging situations. The presence of all-rounders like Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma further bolsters the batting greatly.

All-rounders: The team benefits significantly from the presence of versatile all-rounders such as Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur and Shreyanka Patil.

These players contribute effectively with both bat and ball, as seen in the WPL, providing balance to the side. Their ability to perform multiple roles enhances the team’s overall strength and adaptability to various match situations.

ALSO READ: BAN vs IND: Asha Sobhana, Sajana Sajeevan Earn Maiden India Call-up For The Bangladesh Series

Spin Attack: India possesses a formidable spin attack, led by experienced campaigners Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma.

Their ability to extract turn and variation from the pitches, coupled with the emergence of promising talents like Saika Ishaque, Shreyanka Patil and Asha Sobhana, strengthens India’s spin bowling arsenal.

Shafali Verma too with her wily spin has proven to be a welcome addition to the squad. In the last series versus Bangladesh, she emerged as the leading wicket-takers in the T20Is scalping four crucial wickets.

The spinners’ capability to take wickets and control the run flow makes them a potent threat to opposition batting line-ups, in conditions like Bangladesh.

Weaknesses

Inconsistency in Pace Bowling: The team faces challenges in the pace department due to the inconsistency of Renuka Singh Thakur and the relative inexperience of bowlers like Amanjot Kaur and Titas Sadhu.

Renuka Singh Thakur, in particular, is coming off a very lean showing in the WPL with very inconsistent returns and with the Indian pace attack heavily dependent on her– she will have to come to the forefront and deliver.

Inconsistent performances from these bowlers could put additional pressure on the spinners to deliver consistently, especially in conditions where pace bowling could be crucial.

Middle-order Void: The absence of Jemimah Rodrigues creates a void in the middle order, impacting the team’s stability and depth during crucial phases of the game. Her back issues meant she was ruled out of the series and this is a loss to India’s prospects, undeniably.

In the last series versus Bangladesh, she was a crucial cog in the middle order scoring valuable runs in the ODIs and T20Is while also negotiating spin well and taking quick singles and doubles, which makes her a unique proposition.

In her absence, the team may face difficulties in consolidating innings or accelerating the run rate when required, putting pressure on the top order to shoulder the batting responsibilities.

Opportunities

Uncapped Players: The series presents a golden opportunity for uncapped players like Sajana Sajeevan and Asha Sobhana to showcase their talent and stake their claim for a permanent spot in the squad. The duo were remarkable in the just concluded WPL and have made a mark with stellar performances.

Their impressive performances could provide valuable depth and options for the team management, enhancing the overall competitiveness of the team.

Role Clarity: With the T20 World Cup approaching, the series offers an ideal platform for players to establish their roles within the team.

Clear role definitions will help the management identify the best combinations and strategies moving forward, fostering cohesion and synergy among the players.

Threats

Struggles Against Spin: Historically, Indian batters have faced challenges against quality spin bowling, particularly in subcontinental conditions.

Failure to address this weakness could expose the team to opposition spinners’ threats during the series, leading to batting collapses and low scores. In the last T20I series versus the same opposition in 2023, the Indian batters struggled against the quality and might of Sultana Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter and Shorna Akter.

Injuries: The team faces the constant threat of injuries, as evidenced by the unfortunate case of Jemimah Rodrigues. Any further injuries during the series could disrupt the team’s plans, forcing them to make last-minute changes to the squad and affecting their performance on the field.

Ensuring player fitness and implementing effective injury prevention strategies are crucial to mitigating this threat.

Who are some of the Notable Omissions?

While the selection panel, led by Neetu David, assembled a robust and competitive squad, notable omissions include Shikha Pandey, Arundhati Reddy, Mannat Kashyap, Harleen Deol, Minnu Mani, Devika Vaidya, and Anusha Bareddy.

Shikha Pandey’s absence is conspicuous, especially considering the team’s need for additional firepower in the pace bowling department, particularly given Renuka Singh Thakur’s inconsistent form.

Similarly, Arundhati Reddy’s consistent performances in domestic cricket could have warranted her inclusion in the squad, providing depth and variety in the bowling attack.

Minnu Mani, Devika Vaidya, and Anusha Bareddy, who showcased their abilities in the previous tours to Bangladesh, were overlooked despite their contributions.

Mani was the highest wicket-taker for India with five wickets in the T20I series, Vaidya’s six wickets in the ODI series, and Bareddy’s economical bowling in the T20Is could have bolstered the team’s options, but the team management’s decision suggests a lack of confidence in their abilities.

Why is this series important?

This series holds significant importance as a preparatory phase for the upcoming T20 World Cup, especially considering that the tournament itself will take place in Bangladesh. For the Indian women’s team, it presents a valuable opportunity to fine-tune strategies, test combinations, and assess player form and fitness in conditions similar to those they will encounter during the World Cup.

Facing Bangladesh in their backyard provides the team an excellent chance to acclimate to the pitches, weather, and other local factors that could influence gameplay.

Moreover, competing against a competitive opponent like Bangladesh allows the team to identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement, enabling them to make necessary adjustments before the global tournament. It is not just about winning matches but also about building momentum, cohesion, and a winning mindset that can carry over into the World Cup campaign.

---

Click Here to get the latest news related to Women’s Cricket. You can also check about Match predictions here. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more updates.