Despite India women’s team’s dominating performances in the last two games against Australia in New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup, most people would be considering hosts England as favourites to lift the prestigious trophy. The friendly conditions and good form do give the strong England side slight advantage. Captain Heather Knight and opening batsman Tammy Beaumont have been consistent at the top of the order, scoring 750 runs in the tournament so far but cannot make the mistake of taking India lightly. Mithali Raj and Co have been in remarkable form and have peaked at the right time. Here are 5 reasons why Indian women’s team will thrash England to lift the title:

1. Smriti Mandhana’s class

The 21-year-old Smriti Mandhana started the tournament on a high smashing back to back half-centuries in the first two matches of the tournament. However, after becoming an overnight internet sensation, Smriti’s form faded away and what would be a better time to get the touch back than the World Cup final.

2. Mithali Raj’s brilliance

At 34-years, this could be Mithali Raj’s final World Cup and the Indian skipper has done everything possible to make it a memorable one. She is the second leading run-scorer of the tournament right now with 392 runs to her name at an average of 49. In this tournament, Mithali broke the record of most half-centuries by a woman cricketer also became the first player to score over 6000 runs in women’s cricket. She would like to finish the tournament on a high too.

3. Jhulan Goswami’s experience

What Mithali Raj is to Indian batting, Jhulan Goswami is to bowling. World’s leading wicket-taker in women’s cricket hasn’t really set the stage on fire but final could be the perfect time for her. Jhulan’s experience will come in handy for the team.

4. Harmanpreet Kaur’s explosive hits

For the first half of the tournament, Harmanpreet Kaur was silent as a rock but in the last match against Australia, she roared like a tigress. Haramanpreet finding her form right before the final is the biggest positive for India. She will have to play a useful hand in the lower order if India wants to win the match.

5. Deepti Sharma’s magic

While the Mithali Rajs and Smriti Mandhanas of the team were busy making the headlines, the 19-year-old right arm medium bowler, Deepti Sharma was silently doing her job. She is currently team’s leading wicket-taker with 8 scalps to her name and also played a useful knock of 25 runs in the last match.