India Women eye easy points against minnows Thailand

India Women eye easy points against minnows Thailand

"Isn't that better for them? A young team will always spring a surprise. You never know what they can do on their day. You can't ever count them out."

The convincing 64-run win over Bangladesh would have only affirmed India's credentials as title favourites but skipper Harrmanpreet Kaur insisted that the game against hosts Thailand on Sunday (November 27) would not be taken lightly.

And rightly so. The five-time champions would want to treat every league game with equal respect, earn quick points and assure themselves of a place in the finals at the earliest. The heavy rains in the last week had forced a change in the venue at the eleventh hour and in the likely scenario of rain gods making an appearance again, India would be wary against leaving their calculations to the last.

Fortunately for the visitors, their batters are in prime form. Harmanpreet and Veda Krishnamurthy scored heavily in the preceding T20I series against West Indies at home while Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj laid the platform for India's big win in the tournament opener. The bowlers then joined the party to defend 118 without much hassle. The game against Thailand would be another chance for the them to try out their combinations before they head into the key contests of the tournament - against arch-rivals Pakistan and the unpredictable Sri Lanka.

The inexperienced Thailand team hasn't played an international game yet - a bunch of them aged between 16-18, in fact, are still juggling between the game and their grades. The batting lacks power to get the better of India's bowling, while their bowlers on the other hand could fail to curb India's star-studded line-up who have all stacked up runs in the lead up to this contest. That Thailand were robbed of practice due to inclement weather in the week leading to the tournament will also have a bearing on the outcome of the game.

Thailand definitely do start as underdogs but at the same time, this would be their chance to gain some exposure against the bigwigs ahead of next year's 50-over World Cup qualifiers - which is another unknown territory for them.

"India are a professional side, one of the best in women's cricket. They came after a tough T20 series against West Indies, and came just yesterday but played very well (for) the big win today (against Bangladesh). For tomorrow's game, we (will face) a very tough game but hopefully we will put up a good show and get some experience that will help for qualifiers in Sri Lanka," Janak Gamage, Thailand's coach noted.

On Saturday, as India began their title defence, Gamage ensured that his wards observe the game from close quarters for whatever little they can grasp to at least put up a fighting performance.

"Even if we can do the basics right - like stay in the wicket and bowl in the right areas, (we'd be happy). I want to do simple things and not try too many things. Just get the basics right. If they can last 20 overs against this team, it (will be) a good achievement," the former Sri Lankan pacer said.

His approach is simple - instead of burdening his team with excessive planing and strategising against their stronger opponents, Gamage is focusing on getting the maximum out of his unit. "To stop them (India's in-form batters) we need equally good bowlers. And our girls lack that kind of experience. This is for them to get some experience, no point to plan out heavily (against India). If we can bowl in right areas and bat well, that's what we we looking for from this game."

The game between the hosts and a country whose supporters are in abundance around the campus, has been specifically scheduled on a Sunday and likely to draw maximum crowd at the AIT ground. Whether they are treated to fireworks from India or surprises from the home team remains to be seen.

Squads:

Thailand: Sornnarin Tippoch (Captain), Nattaya Boochatham, Rattana Sangsoma, Naruemol Chaiwai, Suleeporn Laomi, Nattakan Chantam, Sirintra Saengsakaorat, Chanida Sutthiruang, Sainammin Saenya, Soraya Lateh, Wongpaka Liengprasert, Nannapat Khoncharoenkai, Ratanaporn Padunglerd.

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Ekta Bisht, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi Joshi, Veda Krishnamurthy, Smriti Mandhana, Meghna Singh, Shikha Pandey, Anuja Patil, Poonam Yadav, Nuzhat Parween, Preeti Bose, Mithali Raj, Vellaswamy Vanitha, Sushma Verma.