ICC Women's World Cup: Hosts India take on West Indies in tournament opener

The Indian women cricketers do not enjoy as much news-space or fan following as our male cricketers do. It’s only during the major tournaments like the ICC World Cup that our women cricketers get a platform to grab public attention or dominate the newspaper headlines.

And the 2013 Women’s World Cup is not only a great chance for the Indian eves to trigger more spectator interest in the sport, but also a massive opportunity to win their maiden crown in their own backyard.

Indian women’s best performance in the marquee event has been a runners-up finish in the 2005 World Cup, where the women in blue lost to Australia by 98 runs in the summit clash played at SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa.

The Indian eves would be looking to improve on that when they kickstart their campaign against a rapidly improving West Indies side in a day-night clash at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Mumbai will be hosting all the Group A matches across three venues (besides Brabourne Stadium, MIG Club and MCA’s Bandra-Kurla Complex Ground would host the Group A matches), while the Group B matches would be staged at two grounds in Cuttack, Odisha.

The Indian team would be led by batting mainstay Mithali Raj, who would be making her fourth World Cup appearance.

The team has the seasoned seam bowling combo of Jhulan Goswami and Amita Sharma besides wicketkeeper Sulakshana Naik, who also brings a wealth of experience to the side.

The top-order would rely heavily on the consistent opening batswoman Poonam Raut and exciting middle-order batsman and vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The team also have talented batswoman Karuna Jain, who is on a comeback trail.

The West Indies are a much improved side having a nice blend of youth and experience.

The women in maroon feature the only twins in the event – Kycia and Kyshona Knight.

The West Indies eves are led by Merissa Aguilleira while ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Year 2012, Stafanie Taylor, is the team’s vice-captain.

West Indies women would hope for big things from 24-year-old tweaker Anisa Mohammed, who snaffled 7—14 in the final of the 2011 ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier against Pakistan.

Indian eves finished third in the 2009 World Cup held in Australia, where England emerged triumphant, laying their hands on the glittering trophy for the third time, pipping New Zealand in the final.

This is the third time India is hosting the World Cup. Australia won both the editions held in India; the Aussies eves won the 1978 edition beating England and the 1997 editing beating New Zealand.

Indian World Cup squad: Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-captain), Ekta Bisht, Amita Sharma, Jhulan Goswami, Karuna Jain, Reema Malhotra, Mona Meshram, Thirushkamini Murugesan, Sulakshana Naik, Niranjan Nagarajan, Rasnara Parwin, Punam Raut, Shubh Lakshmi Sharma, Gouher Sultana.