Chance for India to check bench energy forward of semifinal

All the knockout spots are sealed, and for co-host India, even the semifinal opponent stays unchanged no matter Sunday’s Women’s ODI World Cup outcome. Yet, when India faces Bangladesh within the ultimate league recreation on the DY Patil Stadium, each groups can have a lot to play for past what’s being termed a ‘useless rubber’.

For India, the main focus shall be on sustaining rhythm and managing workloads earlier than the semifinals. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh’s health stays a priority after she injured her left hand in the course of the essential win in opposition to New Zealand earlier this week. Richa, who was substituted halfway via that match, skipped Saturday’s optionally available coaching session, the place solely 5 Indian gamers participated. Given her significance to staff steadiness, India could select to relaxation her on Sunday.

Weather might additionally play spoilsport, with persistent rain predicted all through the day within the Navi Mumbai area. On an overcast Saturday afternoon, Arundhati Reddy, Uma Chetry, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur and Harleen Deol skilled on the side-nets of the stadium whereas Pratika Rawal walked down from the staff lodge within the stadium premises for a chat with head coach Amol Muzumdar.

If situations allow, India’s think-tank may use the fixture to check their bench energy and fine-tune mixtures forward of the knockout stage.

For Bangladesh, this match carries better consequence. A win wouldn’t solely assist them keep away from the picket spoon within the eight-team desk however might even carry them to sixth place. That climb would deliver a major monetary increase — Rs. 3.4 crore in prize cash in comparison with the Rs. 2.8 crore reserved for the underside two groups.

While the semifinal lineup is already locked, the India-Bangladesh contest nonetheless holds that means — for type, health, and pleasure — making certain the DY Patil crowd received’t be watching a mere formality.