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India's Star Openers Falter Ahead of T20 World Cup
10 Jun
Summary
- Mandhana and Verma were dismissed cheaply in a warm-up match.
- Both openers have shown inconsistent form in recent T20Is.
- India faces a tough group including Australia and South Africa.
As the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, India's opening partnership of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma is a growing concern due to their inconsistent performances. Both batters were dismissed early in a recent warm-up match against England, further highlighting their 'hot and cold' form in the lead-up to the tournament.
Mandhana has struggled to score 50 or more in her last nine T20 innings, and Verma has also seen a dip in form, crossing 30 only once in her last eight outings. These batting struggles coincide with India's recent T20I losses against South Africa and England.
India faces a formidable challenge in the T20 World Cup, drawn into a tough group that includes Australia and South Africa. Arch-rivals Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands are also in their group, making every match crucial. India's campaign begins against Pakistan on June 14 in Birmingham.
