Former India captain Anjum Chopra highlighted the importance of strong batting for the Indian team at the upcoming 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. She noted that while India holds the tag of ODI world champions, their recent form has been inconsistent, with wins against Sri Lanka and Australia but losses to South Africa and England.
Chopra stressed the need for Indian players to take their roles seriously, whether in batting or bowling. She specifically pointed out that batting should lead the way for the team, emphasizing the critical role of the five specialist batters in the lineup. The team’s success, according to her, hinges on the batters’ performance.
Regarding the team’s recent lineup changes, Chopra discussed the inclusion of Yastika Bhatia at number three in the T20I series against England. She explained that the move was influenced by limited middle-order options, leading to a restructuring of the batting order. Despite Yastika’s slow scoring rate, Chopra urged patience, considering her return from a significant injury layoff.
Chopra also commented on the challenges faced by Bharti Fulmali, highlighting her inconsistency and lack of impact in recent matches. She expressed surprise at Fulmali’s initial selection and noted that her struggles have necessitated adjustments in the team’s batting order. Additionally, Chopra discussed the decision to promote Deepti Sharma over Richa Ghosh in a match, attributing it to the need to provide Sharma with more batting opportunities.
In assessing India’s bowling unit, Chopra emphasized the importance of collective effort across all departments. She acknowledged the team’s developing bowling side and emphasized the need for them to step up and take wickets consistently. Chopra also underlined the significance of fielding in contributing to overall team performance, particularly in matches played during daytime.
Looking ahead to India’s game against Pakistan, Chopra mentioned the potential adjustments based on pitch conditions. She highlighted the likelihood of including an extra spinner on spin-friendly tracks while opting for a seam-heavy bowling attack on batting-friendly pitches.
