‘English conditions are no longer alien’ – Anjum Chopra backs Indian team ahead of T20 World Cup

Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes that English conditions are no longer unfamiliar territory for the Indian women’s team and feels they will start as favourites at the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. India will begin their campaign against Pakistan in Birmingham on June 14.

Chopra also suggested that the Indian team management may need to adopt greater flexibility in its batting order to maximize the squad’s strengths. A major boost for the team has been the return of Yastika Bhatia after a lengthy injury layoff. The wicketkeeper-batter made an immediate impact on her comeback, scoring 54 runs in the opening T20I against England.

“For Nandini (Sharma), yes, she is playing there. But in a very small career of Shree Charani, this is her second tour to England in less than 12 months. For me, India will always remain one of the favourite sides. Obviously, I want them there. Not only in the top four. I want them in the top two and then the top team,” said Chopra as quoted by NDTV Sports.

“It’s very good that she (Yastika) is scoring runs and she scored in the first T20. Though she missed out on a long innings in the second. But what it also does is that it’s not about just balancing out Jemmy and Harman and Yastika. I think the Indian team will probably need to be a little more open about flexibility in the batting order,” she added.

India have been placed in a tough Group 1 alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Netherlands, with only the top two teams advancing to the semifinals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Chopra acknowledged that the group presents a significant challenge and warned that qualification will be far from straightforward. She emphasised that India’s ability to adapt to different match situations, conditions, and opponents will be crucial if they are to secure a place in the knockout stages.

“I am not saying that they will not be because right now, it’s just a series against England. But in less than a couple of weeks they will play their first World Cup game, I feel there needs to be a little more adaptability to the flexibility,” said Chopra.

“Even Pakistan has been playing some very good cricket. And India does not know how the Netherlands would come out. They’ve also made it to the World Cup. And why should we just forget the fact that there is an Australian team and a South African team in the same pool. So, only two of the teams can qualify for the semi-finals from that pool. So, it’s not going to be very easy,” he added.