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A World Cup year is upon us! And that often comes with immense buzz and anticipation. Even more so for India happen to be hosting the Women's ODI World Cup this time around as expectations are bound to hit a new high as to whether the wait for that coveted title will come to an end at last or not.
Going by recent performances on home soil at least, there is enough to suggest that India can make a serious fist of things although getting past that hurdle named Australia remains an Achilles heel. Lack of clarity in selection is another factor that has pegged the team back but the time has come to ensure that all parties - captain, coach and selectors - are on the same page.
This three-match rubber against Ireland gives India the opportunity to begin 2025 on the right note and set the tone for greater things to come. It's also an opportunity to try out different combinations - something they perhaps didn't do enough of in their recent series against the West Indies which they wrapped up 3-0.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has been rested, as has seamer Renuka Singh Thakur, who was the Player of the Series against the West Indies. Smriti Mandhana has been handed the captain's hat and after a stellar 2024 where she piled up runs for fun, the southpaw will look to pick up from where she left off.
Pratika Rawal grew in stature as the West Indies series went along and will want to establish herself as Mandhana's first choice opening partner. The same holds good for Harleen Deol at number 3, with the right-hander marking her return from injury in style. Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh are the momentum shifters in the middle-overs while batter Raghvi Bist and all-rounder Sayali Sathgare will be keen to get a go in the XI at some stage this series.
The bowling remains in capable hands even as Arundhati Reddy and Pooja Vastrakar continue to mysteriously miss out. Titas Sadhu and Saima Thakor should front up with the new ball and both seamers have a massive opportunity in front of them to put their hand up for that World Cup berth. Leggie Priya Mishra and left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwer could both slot in to complete the spin attack alongside all-rounder Deepti Sharma, although Minnu Mani could be in with a shout too owing to her batting ability.
Ireland's rise in women's cricket has been a pleasing one with fond memories to take from 2024 courtesy wins over England and Sri Lanka (a series win at that against the second of those), even as their most recent sojourn of Bangladesh didn't go to plan. Having suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the one-dayers, they have an even more enormous task on hand although their final task of 2024 saw them return the favor to Bangladesh by a similar margin in the T20 format.
Whether that translates into a good start for this calendar year or not remains to be seen. But if Ireland are to ruffle some feathers over the next few days, a lot will center around how their skipper Gaby Lewis and all-rounder Orla Prendergast step up. Prendergast in particular has cast herself as a potential superstar for the next decade and beyond with the ability to break partnerships with her medium pace besides hitting the ball long.
Laura Delany and Leah Paul are expected to play key roles with the bat too with the experienced Delany also expected to chip in with her medium-pace bowling. Teenage left-arm spin sensation Aimee Maguire has made a fine start to her international career and could be the X-factor on the bowling front in these conditions alongside the off-spinners of Freya Sargent.
The Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot has often seen big runs on offer whenever the men's teams have taken the field. That trend could well continue and India's batters most certainly won't mind it as they look to set things up for their bowlers to take over. India are overwhelming favorites, of that there is little doubt. But if the Irish rock up with a nothing to lose attitude and throw some punches, the hosts could have a few things to worry about.
There is simply no room for complacency in international cricket and India will do well to guard against it. Expect an interesting opener on Friday as both teams draw the curtains open on the calendar year!
Ireland Probable XI: Sarah Forbes, Gaby Lewis (c), Christina Coulter Reilly (wk), Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany, Leah Paul, Una Raymond-Hoey, Arlene Kelly, Ava Canning, Freya Sargent, Aimee Maguire
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Niranjan Shah Stadium Ground C, Rajkot
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