Mithali Raj backs Harmanpreet’s promotion, expects India changes after South Africa loss

Former India captain Mithali Raj believes Harmanpreet Kaur should bat at No. 4 and expects India to make changes for the Bangladesh clash. She praised Shree Charani's spell, highlighted missed opportunities against South Africa and backed Kranti Gaud's inclusion.

Hyderabad: JioStar expert Mithali Raj discussed India’s defeat against South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup on Sunday and captain Harmanpreet Kaur potentially coming in at number four.

“It was a disappointing game for India because, had they won this, they would be on top of the table, and now they have no other choice but to beat Australia to get into the semi-finals. It was their game to win because it’s a little tough road ahead,” Mithali said.

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“From batting order point of view, we haven’t seen Harmanpreet bat that late at number five very often, so perhaps she can come in at number four and Jemimah at number five. Jemimah has played at number five before and scored a lot of runs there. By the time she comes in, she will most likely face the spinners, which is her strength. She can use her feet and plays the scoops and sweeps well. That could help build her confidence, get her back into rhythm and regain that momentum, with Harmanpreet batting ahead of Jemimah,” she explained.

On Shree Charani’s exceptional spell, Mithali said: “Shree Charani is a quick learner. She made her debut in English conditions, so she pretty much knows the conditions. There wasn’t much turn on offer for her on a pitch like this, but she made sure that she was attacking the stumps consistently and keeping them in play as much as she could. She varied her pace and lengths and even set the fields she wanted. Getting those two big wickets in that one over brought India back into the game. Even when she was brought on for her second spell, Charani bowled very tight lines. She hardly gave anything away outside off stump.”

“Obviously, with Shreyanka Patil not being there, you could sense her absence, since she is easily your four-over bowler. But Shafali Verma took responsibility and did the job rather well in both the Powerplay and the middle overs. T20 cricket is all about key moments, and the mind goes back to those dropped catches of Marizanne Kapp. She got three reprieves, capitalised on them, and the Indian team didn’t. I also feel they could have trusted Prema Rawat for one more over in the middle. A leg-spinner bowling to two right-handers, taking the ball away from them, does put some doubt in a batter’s mind,” Mithali said.

On the possible changes in India’s playing XI for the Bangladesh game, Mithali said: “I would definitely look at Kranti Gaud in the side. You need bowlers who can take wickets upfront in the Powerplay, and Kranti has that ability. The second player would be Radha Yadav. Yes, she dropped a couple of catches in this game, but I still want to see her in the XI because she brings another left-arm spin option.”

” We saw what Shree Charani did against the South Africans. So, nothing against Yastika, but if she is not batting at number three and has to move down the order, I would rather have a player like Radha, who can contribute in multiple departments. Those are the two changes I am expecting for the next game,” she said.