Areas of concern the Indian eves need to address to qualify for the semi-finals

India need to get their batting order right

Harmanpreet Kaur

India seemed like batting giants with the top order flourishing in the first couple of matches. They scored at a healthy run rate but the credit for that can only be attributed to Smriti Mandhana. The rest of the three top order batswomen in Punam Raut, Mithali Raj and Deepti Sharma have scored at a very slow rate. And with Mandhana failing to contribute in the last four matches, their weakness to score freely has come to the fore.

Deepti Sharma hasn't really fitted to the No. 3 position. She consumed too many deliveries while scoring both the fifties she has managed in this tournament so far. Same has been the case with Mithali Raj. Punam Raul falls in the same category as well. But, her ability to play the long innings and her accelerating capability later on makes her a vital cog at the top of the order.

Extra cover: ICC Women's World Cup: Analysing the rise of Mithali Raj since her debut

India should push the likes of Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy up the order in case Mandhana gets dismissed early. Their talents are being seriously wasted down the order with the top order consuming most of the deliveries. Mithali Raj should bat as a floater according to the situation.