India’s top order falters as Australia awaits in Women’s World Cup

India have reached the midpoint of the Women’s World Cup, but their campaign has not matched pre-tournament expectations. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, the team has yet to put together a complete innings, and a tough clash against Australia awaits on Sunday.

The biggest issue is India’s top five. In all three matches, the lower order has had to rebuild innings. This was enough to win the first two games, but against South Africa, it fell short.

Most teams lose five or six wickets by 25 overs, but India’s senior trio — Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Jemimah Rodrigues — has yet to score a half-century. India’s top five average 23.13, lower than other semi-final contenders like England, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. Among teams with at least two games, India are the only side without a 50-plus score from the top order. Their run rate is also near the bottom.

Smriti Mandhana, who broke a 28-year-old record and is on track to become the first woman to score 1,000 ODI runs in a year, has struggled. Despite eight hundreds since 2024, she has scored just 8, 23, and 23. Against South Africa, she was beaten by pace and swing before falling to spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba.

Jemimah Rodrigues has also struggled. Dismissed by spin in all three games, her highest score is 32 against Pakistan. Early wickets have prevented her from settling at the crease.

Harmanpreet Kaur has contributed only small cameos. Against South Africa, she crawled to 9 off 23 before edging a simple push. Yet her record on big stages — from a 171* in the 2017 World Cup semi-final to near wins at the Commonwealth Games and T20 World Cups — shows she can deliver when it matters.

India’s lower order, strengthened by the WPL, has bailed the team out in tough situations. But the responsibility now rests on Mandhana, Harmanpreet, and Rodrigues. With Australia and England next, India’s top three must fire to keep semi-final hopes alive.