Mithali backs Radha as Shreyanka replacement, tips India for T20 World Cup semis

Mithali Raj believes Shreyanka Patil's injury is a setback for India's T20 World Cup campaign but feels Radha Yadav can fill the void. She backed India and Australia to reach the semi-finals and identified Richa Ghosh as India's potential match-winner.

Hyderabad: ICC expert Mithali Raj weighed in on how Shreyanka Patil’s injury would be a setback personally for her and from the team’s perspective.

“Shreyanka’s injury will definitely be a setback because the support staff would have had strategies and tactics in place for this World Cup, keeping her in mind. She, too, would have been looking forward to the tournament, especially after working her way back from an injury,” Mithali said.

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“It is tough for any player to get injured and then miss out on a global event like the World Cup. As far as the Indian team is concerned, they will now have to go to Plan B or Plan C. They do have Radha Yadav in their ranks, and India’s strength has traditionally been its spin attack. Radha did reasonably well in the ODI World Cup and is already part of the squad. If India need a third spinner as an immediate replacement, she could step into Shreyanka’s role,” she said.

On her picks to qualify for the semi-finals from both groups, Mithali said: “Since Australia and India have already won two games each, and South Africa have lost to Australia, India have a better chance to qualify even though they are yet to face South Africa.”
“ I expect Australia and India to get into the knockouts from Group A. From the other group, England look the most likely team to qualify, having started strongly with two wins from two games. The second team is a bit difficult to predict because a few teams are still in contention. West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are all in the mix, although New Zealand’s chances have gone down with two defeats already. If I had to pick one, I would go with the West Indies,” she said.

On the Indian middle-order and chances of Renuka Singh Thakur featuring in the upcoming games, Mithali said: “When we look at India’s batting unit, especially the middle order, we’ve been losing a couple of wickets in quick succession, which puts a lot of pressure on the incoming batters.”

“ We haven’t seen the kind of partnerships we’d expect from the No. 3, 4 and 5 batters, and that leaves a lot for Richa Ghosh to do when she comes in. She has done that role brilliantly, but even a 30-run partnership in the middle overs would give her a much better platform to launch from. As for Renuka, if India chose not to play her against Pakistan, it could indicate that the support staff feel she isn’t quite in the rhythm they want for this World Cup. That said, if the pitch offers pace and bounce, like we saw in Leeds, there’s no harm in going with three seamers,” she explained.

On Jemimah Rodrigues’ form and India’s trump card in the tournament ahead of big games, Mithali said: “Jemimah’s form improved from the first game to the second, especially in terms of her mindset and approach. I felt she looked a bit hurried in the first game against Pakistan, but appeared much more composed in the second.”

“ There are always nerves in the opening game of a World Cup, regardless of how many international matches a player has played. Hopefully, those nerves are settled now and she can get back to the run-scoring form we have come to expect from her. As for India’s trump card, it has to be Richa Ghosh. We saw her score a quickfire 34 in the first game, which helped India get to that 170-run mark. In this format, when you need a power-hitter in the last four or five overs, Richa can be the difference for India. Those extra 30-40 runs she can add at the back end of an innings will be crucial,” Mithali explained.

On Smriti Mandhana breaking her record of scoring the most international runs for India, former India captain said: “I don’t know when she will break that record, but I am certain she will. The good thing is that Indian players’ records are being broken by their compatriots, which means the record remains with India.”

“ That reflects the consistency and longevity of players like Smriti and Deepti. I hope both continue their fine form because their experience will be vital for India in this T20 World Cup and at the same time, they continue to inspire the younger players and help them grow alongside them, both on and off the field,” she said.