India, England meet at a crucial crossroads after inconsistent campaigns

by Purnima Malhotra • Last updated on

Two scrappy wins followed by two crushing defeats have already pushed India towards a mid-table scuffle © Getty

India's critical World Cup 2025 clash against England carries more than just points; and is laced with subplots that can define both their campaigns.

For starters, the leadership group rekindles memories of what was a successful alliance at WPL until March. Harmanpreet Kaur, coach Charlotte Edwards, and vice-captain Nat Sciver-Brunt - once the tactical braintrust behind Mumbai Indians' success in the formative years of the league - now find themselves split on the opposite camps of a high-stakes clash that will go on to define semifinal fortunes for both. That MI think-tank is now divided by national colours; still chasing the same dream but from rival dugouts.

On that front, India are perhaps in a more dire situation than their Sunday's opponents. Two scrappy wins followed by two crushing defeats have already pushed them towards a mid-table scuffle, their top-order wobbles and combination puzzle betraying the form and momentum they entered the home World Cup with. Given the pivotal stage that their campaign was at a week ago, the under-fire batting finally overcame their jitters to post a competitive total against Australia albeit still in a losing cause. While their high dot-ball consumption was a continuing factor, solid starts from nearly all the batters hints that the scoring concerns are being addressed.

Smriti Mandhana's regained fluency, and the much-needed intent from most of the others was all on display in Vizag, but it needs to extend beyond just that one good day. More so against an attack like England's that has been thriving on strangling momentum through the middle-overs phase. Left-arm spin pair of Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith account for 50 per cent of the team's 30 wickets so far in the tournament - their miserly spells contributing heavily towards England's consistent bowling performances and most of their success.

Their 'unbeaten' status, however, paints only half the picture. The four-time champions, under a new leadership group, have been far from convincing and they're aware of it. England began with a resounding 10-wicket win against South Africa, but have their brittle batting to blame for two near similar collapses - 78/5 against Bangladesh and a more concerning 78/7 against Pakistan. They've depended on skipper Sciver-Brunt to anchor, and but there are frailties within that deep batting unit that's still trying to find its rhythm.

Emma Lamb, Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsey have all struggled to make meaningful contributions, yet the management's unwavering support in that middle-order hints at England's belief in continuity rather than reactive tinkering. That's one thing the two teams have in common, in fact. India head coach Amol Muzumdar threw his weight behind a "settled top-five" even as glaring weaknesses persist against left-arm spin - a matchup that would shape England's bowling plans on Sunday.

England, too, have a vulnerability - handling inswingers - that India perhaps are best positioned to exploit with the likes of Kranti Gaud and Renuka Thakur in their ranks. It was Gaud's six-fer in a tightly fought series-decider in England that put her in India's World Cup plans, and the hosts would draw confidence from those recent memories to script a turnaround before the math of NRR enters the chat.

India know more Ws to their name would have conveniently papered over the flaws that are, perhaps, being scrutinised under a magnifying glass given their current standing. England, as comfortably placed as they appear on the points table, are just as eager to translate that sense of control onto the field. On Sunday, however, only one will be closer to the clarity they seek leaving the other with more uncomfortable questions to address.

When:Sunday, October 19 at 3 PM IST

Where:Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore

What to expect:Indore has seen a couple of drizzles on Friday and then proper rain on Saturday, both contrary to the day's forecast. Conditions wise, the red-soil pitch marked for the game sports a fair bit of grass but expect that to be shaved off come match day. The two previous games at the venue have been high-scoring contests with three centuries recorded in four innings, and the Sunday sold-out game should not veer off too much from that script.

Head-to-Head:In their 79-game rivalry, England lead 41-36 (two no-results). In World Cup history, too, England lead 8-4. However, post the 2022 World Cup, India have had the edge with five wins out of six matches - all of them coming in the UK.

Team News

India: While the full team turned up for their practice session in the city, and an intense one at that, Amanjot Kaur did not train thereafter. The hosts would be tempted to bring back Renuka Thakur into the XI given the obvious PowerPlay matchups. It could be for the same reason that Kranti Gaud - a Madhya Pradesh girl - could retain her spot in the side ahead of Amanjot as India seek to strengthen its seam-bowling department that has come under the scanner. Radha Yadav is another one hard at the nets, but it's unlikely India will drop Sree Charani after the control she'd shown in a high-scoring game against Australia.

Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur/Kranti Gaud, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur

England: Much like her Indian counterpart, Edwards has also backed her misfiring lower-order to come good, effectively ruling out the possibility of Danni Wyatt-Hodge getting a game in Indore at least. Two straightforward changes are in store for them though with Bell and Ecclestone both having recovered from their illness and back available for selection tomorrow.

Probable XI:Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (wk), Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell

Did you know?

-Deepti Sharma is one away from 150 wickets in ODIs. She's only second to Jhulan Goswami (255) among Indians in the format.

-Harmanpreet Kaur needs 53 to become the second Indian to aggregate 1000 runs in World Cups after Mithali Raj (1321).

-Nat Sciver-Brunt needs 42 to become the third English batter to complete 1000 World Cup runs, after Jan Brittin (1299) and Charlotte Edwards (1231). She already has the most hundreds in the competition's history (5).

What they said:

"The best part was getting this break. All our practice sessions were very specific - we practiced against particular bowlers, both left-arm and off-spinners. We worked as much as possible, keeping in mind the conditions and the opponents. As a team and as a bowling unit, we focused on the areas we needed to improve." - India allrounder Deepti Sharma on the team's preparation against the left-arm spin threat.

"We've spoken about it. Obviously we'd be sitting silly not to. But, one of my messages to the team [was] we don't want to dwell on it. We're going to a new venue against a new team and yeah, we've learned some lessons from the last-four [matches] through all facets of our game. But we're in a really good position. If someone had said to me a few weeks ago that you'd be in the position you're in having been unbeaten, I'd have taken it. So, I think our best cricket is in front of us, which is the most positive thing for us and we're looking forward to that. - England head coach Charlotte Edwards on the recent collapses.

© Cricbuzz

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