India have repeatedly hampered their chances of qualifying for the knockouts during the business end of the league phase of the Women's World Cup. Mithali and Co, the finalists in the last edition, now need to win their last two matches against Bangladesh and South Africa to keep alive their hopes of making the grade.
It has been a case of fluctuating form for India, who can ill-afford any more slip-ups in the competition. On Tuesday, when they take on Nigar Sultana and her plucky team, India need to bring their 'A' game to the field. Bangladesh, who have just one win from four matches, are far more competitive than what the points table suggests.
After running West Indies close with a four-run loss in their campaign opener, Bangladesh notched their first World Cup win when they outclassed Pakistan by nine runs to prove that they weren't in the tournament to merely make up the numbers. But they lost to hosts New Zeal and South Africa thereafter. In Hamilton on Tuesday, they will look to be the party poopers against an inconsistent Indian side.
Batting has been a concern for India with their inability to get off to a good start hitting them hard. They have tried out two opening pairs in five matches with Smriti Mandhana starting alongside Shafali Verma first, before she was dropped. Yastika Bhatia then paired up with Mandhana in three matches before Shafali was brought back. Their best first-wicket association has been between Yastika and Mandhana, a 49 against West Indies. Smarting from two back-to-back losses against England and New Zealand, India will seek to get off to a good start against Bangladesh.
The middle order is another area of concern and some runs from Richa Ghosh and Sneh Rana will help India build a competitive score, especially with Harmanpreet Kaur in fine form.
The bowlers were ineffective against an attacking Australian side and India will be tempted to bring back Deepti Sharma, who was dropped for the previous match. Coming together and performing as a unit will be crucial for the team and the fact is not lost on them.
"The atmosphere in the team remains positive. After a loss you do feel down but we are in good headspace ahead of the game (against Bangladesh). We will play to win, the net run rate remains secondary. Bangladesh have reached here by performing and are always improving. There are no easy games in this World Cup," pointed out allrounder Sneh Rana.
India are currently placed fourth on the table with four points (net run rate: 0.456) from five matches. England too have four points, but are behind India due to their lower net run rate (0. 327). India will have to do some number crunching and ensure that they win big in their next two matches.
