(Cricket news) The 2022 Women's World Cup is just a few days away. India will kick off the tournament with a match against arch rivals Pakistan. The women in blue are kind of in a rebuilding phase but the series against New Zealand and Australia before that has given some clarity to things. India have made an adjustment since the 4th ODI against New Zealand where they went in with 1 less batter and trusted All-rounders Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar to contribute more with the willow. Only time will tell if India sticks with that combination and whether it will work.

Ideal playing XI:

Openers: Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma

India have often relied on their fiery openers to give them a good start. The pair has delivered many times but Shafali has had a dry spell off late. Dropping her would be too big a risk because if she gets going in a match it is impossible to stop her. Her big hitting ability is something which will be very crucial in the powerplay. India needs Smriti Mandhana to bat for a long duration and pace her innings according to the situation. When batting with Verma, Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur she will have to play a more conservative role while she will attack when building a partnership with the likes of Deepti Sharma and Mithali Raj. 

Middle Order: Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur

The captain and her deputy have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. The difference in their approach is also a huge plus. Mithali Raj takes her time and can occupy the area for a long period. She is very good at keeping the scoreboard ticking and playing 2nd fiddle to other attacking batters. Harmanpreet Kaur has struggled for consistent form on the international stage. Her performance in the WBBL got her the player of the series award. She still failed in the first few innings against New Zealand after which she had to sit out two games. She was called back for the 5th game where she scored a much needed and awaited half-century. Dropping her at the big stage where she has proven herself so many times would be a big mistake. If Harmanpreet gets going then she doesn't stop before chasing down the target or getting her team to a formidable target. She is also a handy bowling option with her off spin. The big hitter is just one good innings away from regaining her top form again and India will be hoping that it comes in the opening game against Pakistan.

Wicket-keeper: Richa Ghosh

Richa Ghosh is undoubtedly the first choice keeper for India even though her keeping can be sloppy at times unlike her competitor Taniya Bhatia who is technically sound with the gloves. Ghosh's prowess with the willow is way too good to be sitting on the bench. In the 4th ODI against New Zealand she became the Indian women to hit the fastest fifty in ODI cricket. Just like Harmanpreet, if Richa Ghosh gets in her groove the ball will keep on sailing over the rope. Hopefully her sloppiness behind the stumps won't cost India too much.

All-rounders: Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar

Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar are definite picks in the XI while Sneh Rana is an outside the box pick as her competitor is Yastika Bhatia who is a pure batter.
Rana's inclusion will give India 6 proper bowling options along with Harmanpreet Kaur. Deepti Sharma has been promoted to number 3 recently which has worked well for the side. The fact that India is ready to drop a pure batter is an indication that Deepti will be trusted with the willow. Vastrakar with her medium pace and big hitting ability is also a key player in the squad. Along with Jhulan Goswami and Meghna Singh she forms a formidable pace trio, something which India has rarely had in the past.  

Seamers: Meghna Singh and Jhulan Goswami

Goswami and Singh will have to make the new ball talk. One of them will have to bowl against the wind which will be a challenge but that's where the experience of playing 5 ODIs against New Zealand in the past month will come in handy. This will most likely be Goswami's last World Cup and she will be hoping to contribute to the side and finally get her hands on the trophy. Meghna Singh has the ability to swing the ball and also be very consistent with her line and length. India is known for using spin in the death overs which means that Singh in particular will bowl majority of her overs with the new ball. 

Spinner: Rajeshwari Gayakwad

As difficult as it is to leave out Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad has proven that she deserves a spot in the team. Her left arm spin brings a dynamic element in the side that has 3 off spinners in the Playing XI. Her job will be to negotiate the middle overs and keep things tight which she often does really well.

Bench: Poonam Yadav, Taniya Bhatia, Yastika Bhatia and Renuka Singh

Stand-bys: S. Meghna, Ekta Bisht and Simran Dil Bahadur

Also read: 5 Players to watch out for at the 2022 Women's World Cup