Indian Openers Struggle on UAE Pitches: Sanjay Manjrekar’s Insights
In the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, India’s top batters, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, have faced challenges adapting to the pitches in the UAE. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the conditions are not conducive to their natural aggressive styles. Both players have underperformed in the tournament, failing to leave a mark in the first two group-stage matches.
Smriti Mandhana’s performance has been particularly disappointing, as she has been dismissed for single digits in both games. In contrast, Shafali managed to score 32 runs off 35 balls against Pakistan but has not been able to play with the freedom she usually exhibits. This inconsistency has raised concerns about India’s batting lineup as they aim for a successful campaign.
Manjrekar commented on ESPNcricinfo, expressing that the lack of pace on the UAE pitches has hindered the openers’ ability to play freely. “The batting has been a little disappointing,” he said. The way they batted, I think the fans will be a little let down. The batting was very bad against New Zealand.” His remarks highlight the struggle of the Indian openers to establish their rhythm and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Mithali Raj, during the pitch report, also noted the spongy bounce of the Dubai surface, which caused the ball to come through slower than expected. Manjrekar pointed out that this type of surface is less than ideal for both Verma and Mandhana, who thrive on pace and boundary scoring. He advised Shafali to focus on building her innings rather than just aiming for fours and sixes in the early overs.
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As India’s prospects for reaching the semi-finals hang in the balance, the pressure intensifies. They still have crucial matches against Australia and Sri Lanka ahead. Not only must they secure victories in both games, but they will also need to rely on favorable outcomes from other matches to maintain their hopes for progression in the tournament. The performance of the openers will be crucial in determining India’s fate as they strive to overcome the challenges posed by the pitches in the UAE.
