IND W vs SA W T20: Litmus test for youngsters in post-Mithali Raj era

Considering the World T20 will start in Australia on February 21, captain Harmanpreet Kaur understands that the five T20Is under lights — India Women’s first floodlit outing in a bilateral series at home — will offer her and coach W.V. Raman an opportunity to test the younger talent that has been blooded in the squad.

Playing on familiar home conditions, India women would definitely have an edge over the visitors in the upcoming series but they can’t take things for granted against South Africa women.

The men may have moved on from the India blues into white flannels but India’s women cricketers will commence their final phase of the World T20 preparation on Tuesday with a five-match T20I series against South Africa at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium here.

Considering the World T20 will start in Australia on February 21, captain Harmanpreet Kaur understands that the five T20Is under lights — India Women’s first floodlit outing in a bilateral series at home — will offer her and coach W.V. Raman an opportunity to test the younger talent that has been blooded in the squad.

“As you know, World Cup is coming. That's why we are playing more T20s ahead of the tournament. We have 10-15 games to experiment and give chance to youngsters and see how they fit into the side,” Kaur said on Monday, before slogging it out in a net session along with her team-mates later in the evening.

The fact the the team has several young faces with 15-year-old Shafali Verma stealing the limelight at the onset of post-Mithali Raj era in T20Is.

The legendary Raj recently announced her retirement from the shortest format. It will be interesting to see whether the younger batters can grab the opportunity and the senior pros like Smriti Mandhana and Kaur can shoulder the additional burden against a familiar opponent.

Raman also conceded that four pacers were chosen in the squad “keeping the World T20 in mind”. It remains to be seen if a youngster like Pooja Vastrakar, who has been recalled, can put in impressive performances.

Just like the host, the visiting outfit has also rested three of its key players for the series: veteran batsman Mignon du Preez along with star all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon. But captain Sune Luus exuded confidence that her bunch can stretch India over the next two weeks.

While the teams will have one eye on the World T20, the Surat District Cricket Association officials and volunteers will be hoping that the weather remains clear come Tuesday. After all, they are hoping for a capacity crowd for what would be the maiden international cricket tie to be staged in the Diamond City.