2021 was The Hardest Year for Indian Women’s Cricket Team

The integral part of the country’s cricket system is India’s Women’s Cricket Team which features some of the finest and best talents. Whether in batting or bowling, every department has its own risen stars, the women’s cricket had a hard time this year to win games, despite having a powerful team with strength.

For the Women in Blue 2021 was the most disappointing year in all the seasons. In seven months the Indian women’s cricket team played three bilateral series all of which ended on a miserable note. It is inappropriate to blame only the players for their low performances. The circumstances of women’s cricket have taken a massive toll across the globe, limiting the game time for every player. Which results in the lack of experience that affected the results also reflected on the fields.

Back in March when India hosted South Africa in a bilateral series. After the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, India welcomed women’s cricket and played its first women’s tournament in the country. The journey of the rocky roads began when the players returned to the field after a long time. India lost the 5 matches One Day International Series (1-4) and in Twenty20 International Series (2-1). Following the second wave when people started getting back to normal India toured England and Australia with the mix of a new coach, experience, and youth, But then also there were no signs of improvement.

In the One Day International Series the Indian women’s team lost against England by 2-1 and gave the T20 International series with the same results. Like this, the tour of Australia was not different the results in ODI matches were the same as the last ones with the little difference in the shortest format by 2-0.

Team India’s Women Cricket’s form in all three series in 2021

Format: One Day International Series.

No of Matches: 11 matches.

Won: 3 matches.

Lost: 8 matches.

Format: Twenty20 international Series (T20I’s).

No of Matches: 9 Matches.

Won: 2 Matches.

Lost: 8 Matches.

Changing the Coach Didn’t Work Instantly

WB Raman the head coach came under the scanner following the discouraging series against South Africa at home. The BCCI need some new face since his agreement was going to end. The board’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) confirmed Ramesh Powar’s appointment on 13th May, this looks very surprising because Raman took over from Powar back in 2018.

The re-union of Ramesh Powar and Mithali Raj was another surprising element; a saga that made headlines with the women’s team when the latter’s previous stint came to an end. The duo was set for the new beginnings and said that both of them have now moved on, Three years down the line.

As India badly lost all the white-ball series overseas, changing the coach didn’t work. For both of the Test matches played this year they have managed to draw.

Middle-order needs to step-up

Many Indian Women Batters have struggled this year except for a few names. The squad looked very unstable, in most of the matches played this year the middle order especially failed to sustain pressure. The squad will look awesome if the openers go all guns blazing. The entire line-up falls apart when the top two players depart early.

The Positives in Test Format

Despite some disheartening phases, there were some positive sides too. Some factors which were notable that are required to be bought consistently. For example, Shafali Verma the young opener, what an innings she played against England in her first Test debut this year. In her first Test, she made a Back-to-back fifty-plus score and one more in the next match against Australia. Shafali started her Test career most respectively, in 4 Test innings, she made 3 half-centuries.

Smriti Mandhana is the player who has been in great nick, she is decently scoring across all formats. Smriti in the limited over games is a great striker of the cricket ball and when it comes to the test matches she is the same dependable. Recently in Queensland against Australia, she struck a century in the test match, and against England, she also scored fifty in the second innings.

Mithali – Consistency Personified

When it comes to One Day International series cricket Mithali has been a batting prodigy. Most numbers of scores are still counting. The consistency of Mithali in this format is witnessed in the year 2021. She scored 503 runs in 10 innings including 6 fifty-plus scores this year. For a single-digit score interestingly she got out for only one time. Her prowess in One Day Internationals is unmatchable, although she couldn’t muster runs in the two test matches.

Harmanpreet’s Bland Captaincy

Harmanpreet is a dynamic talent but she’s going through one of the hardest phases of her career. In the shortest format, neither in her usual style she is scoring runs nor under her captaincy, the team is playing great. From 8 games winning only 2 times is quite alarming. After having Powar on board something better was expected. But it seems like the think tank and the coach have to plan strategies for a better future.

Bowlers on the rise

The two names that have garnered the most of the attention this year are Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Jhulan Goswami. In 2021, they have ruled the chart of the highest wicket-takers. In 10 ODIs Jhulan Goswami picked up 15 wickets and in 2 Test matches, she scalped 4. On the other hand, Rajeshwari Gayakwad was equally impressive, against South Africa in 5 ODIs she took 8 wickets and from 6 T20Is she took 9 wickets, what else do you need to paint your records with the ball?

Impressive Youngsters

Some of the youngsters making debuts for India, three tours witnessed this. The likes of Sneh Rana, Yastika Bhatia, Meghna Singh, and Richa Ghosh showcased their talents and received their debut caps.

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