India entered the World Cup with high hopes. After years of near-misses in global tournaments, this was meant to be the one where Harmanpreet Kaur’s team finally crossed the line. They had the batting firepower, the tactical depth, and a coach who spoke often about learning and progress.
But somewhere between promise and execution, the rhythm has gone missing. Two back-to-back defeats have not just dented India’s position on the points table but also exposed cracks that have existed for a while
A flash of brilliance, then everything crumbled
India’s batting order boasts impressive talent, yet consistently falls short of its capabilities. The match against Australia began brilliantly; Smriti Mandhana alongside Pratika Rawal both scored fifties effortlessly, suggesting they would exceed 350 runs. Reaching 294 for 4 by the 43rd over, victory seemed certain. But things quickly fell apart. Losing six wickets for only 36 runs ended what could’ve been a statement innings at 330. Statistically, it marked a milestone – the first occasion a team surpassed 300 when playing against Australia during a Women’s World Cup. Things weren’t so simple, though. Lower order faltered, and the end felt flat. It wasn’t the pitch – nor the bowlers – that defeated India; rather, they failed to turn a grip on the game into complete command. They just couldn’t close things out – those last few overs where matches usually swing one way or another. It’s a weakness that keeps showing up, no matter the game type or field conditions. Now, with everything on the line, they simply have to fix it.
A secret weakness emerged as shifts became scarce
India’s batters often flash brilliance – a powerful pull, elegant drive, or soaring six – however, this energy doesn’t last. Frequently, balls are blocked or missed entirely, which slows down scoring. Talented players such as Pratika Rawal alongside Harleen Deol can hit boundaries, though afterward they sometimes become hesitant. Scoring quickly – rotating strikes, finding gaps, generally unsettling bowlers – isn’t something this team has quite figured out. Even coach Muzumdar noted they spent considerable time dissecting how often batters didn’t score after facing many deliveries following the loss to South Africa. They seemed determined to improve against Australia, as most of the top order batted more aggressively, yet the middle of the innings still stalled. India struggles to dictate play because their forceful shots don’t mesh well with keeping the ball in motion. Today’s limited overs game favours consistent activity at the crease over sheer power.
Harmanpreet Kaur: The burden of leadership and lost rhythm
Before the World Cup, Harmanpreet Kaur said they’d finally cross the hurdle this time – a statement less about hope than a promise. However, leading takes something from you. The strain of keeping everyone focused, on and off the field, appears to be affecting her own game. Lately, her performance hints at a slump – only once she has faced more than fifty deliveries in her last twenty ODI innings, and an average hovering around 30. That’s not what India’s campaign needed from its heartbeat player. Beyond her personal form, questions linger about her decisions as captain, particularly her insistence on sticking with a five-bowler setup even when conditions and match situations beg for flexibility. Leadership is never just about loyalty to a plan; it is about reading the game as it unfolds Harmanpreet seems stuck on a set play, and India are paying for that rigidity
Tactical rigidity meets changing match dynamics
Something interesting about this World Cup? Those 3 p.m. games. As daylight fades, surfaces cool, and dew steadily sets in, the nature of the game tilts toward batting in the final inning. India, specifically, seems to struggle then, though their bowlers aren’t bad; they just haven’t adjusted well. Defending 251 against South Africa, they had the game in hand before the ball began to skid and the fielding turned slippery. A similar story unfolded facing Australia; 330 wasn’t enough when dampness blunted the spin attack. Still, the side persists with only five bowlers. Having long hitters down to number eight sounds good, yet hasn’t really paid off. Without a sixth bowling choice, Harmanpreet has been forced to persist with same set of bowlers through the death overs. Cricket isn’t static; conditions shift mid-match, and unless India’s strategy evolves in real time, they’ll keep running into the same wall with the same plan.
Seniors feel lost as top performers race forward
The Women’s World Cup has a way of separating pretenders from performers, and right now, India’s senior trio, Mandhana, Harmanpreet, and Jemimah Rodrigues, stand uncomfortably in between. Other stars like Healy, Sciver-Brunt, alongside Devine are shining with big scores; however, India’s key batters seem hesitant. In four matches, that group managed only a single half-century, which is concerning for a side relying on seasoned talent. Their body language reflects it too: hesitant running, late shot selection, and a certain heaviness in stroke play. Smriti contributes when she can, yet help from teammates vanishes quickly. It’s hard to build momentum when your most reliable batters are searching for confidence. In global tournaments, big players must dictate play, not react to it. India’s batting still looks like it’s waiting for the opposition to make mistakes instead of forcing errors. That waiting game might work in bilateral series; in a World Cup, it’s fatal.
The left-arm spin puzzle
It’s hard to dispute what statistics reveal – India consistently struggles when facing left-arm spin. Across just four recent innings, they’ve been dismissed fifteen times by this type of bowler; a glaring weakness given their experience. The way the ball spins, its trajectory, coupled with difficulty scoring quick runs contribute to these issues. Top left-arm bowlers have repeatedly exposed a vulnerability in the team. It’s concerning because their upcoming match versus England presents exactly that challenge. Both Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith excel at left-arm spin; they’ll likely take advantage of India’s difficulty dealing with it. Should India slip up once more, a loss looms – one that may seal their chances in the tournament. . Against New Zealand as well, India will need not only runs but tactical clarity. These two matches could decide whether this campaign stumbles to an early halt or finds its second wind.
The fine line between hope and hesitation
Things are precarious for India right now. Initial hope – chatter about overcoming challenges, a cohesive team ready for anything – seems far away. However, there’s still a chance. Beating England might rekindle hope; playing well against New Zealand offers a path back into contention. To get there, India needs to ditch the predictable approach, find purpose during the middle of an innings, also inject more vigour into their fielding – missed catches alongside slow reactions have proven costly. It isn’t skill alone, but rather attitude that truly distinguishes winners.
They’ve got skill, reserves, and the history to fight back – everything needed for a comeback. Still, these championships don’t cut slack. Winners adjust fast; others keep scrambling for their footing. India needs to shake things up fast, otherwise this whole effort might fizzle.