By Admin 
India faces a litmus test against South Africa in a Women’s ODI World Cup match at the ACA-VDCA Stadium here on Thursday.
With two wins on the trot, the Women in Blue sit one point behind table-topper Australia. However, their performances have not been as smooth as they would have wished.
India’s explosive opening pair has not taken off so far and while the rescue acts by the middle-order are welcome, it’s not exactly going in the positives column of the think tank’s notes.
What doesn’t help is the advantage ceded by India’s long-term Achilles heel — its fielding. In 16 ODIs this year, India has dropped as many as 41 chances.
Particularly guilty of sloppiness is Richa Ghosh whose returns by the stumps have been ordinary at best. Her fighting unbeaten 35 in 20 balls against Pakistan has been the bright spot in an otherwise lean batting record, too.
The home team will take comfort, however, in the two-week training camp held at this venue before the tournament got underway.
Having had the chance to understand conditions here, with the surfaces reportedly going the high-scoring way, will hold India in good stead against a South African line-up with much firepower and against Australia later on Sunday.
The side will be buoyed by the recovery and availability of Amanjot Kaur, who made way for Renuka Singh against Pakistan due to fever.
South Africa will also come into this contest full of belief, having taken apart New Zealand with ease. The drubbing at the hands of England now looks well behind the Proteas, with the side rising to the occasion in all departments in Indore.
With rain clouds hovering over the coastal city, a covered pitch might present its own challenges and opportunities.
If Colombo is any example to go by, the pitch might hold moisture and offer bowlers across variants some grip.
With left-arm spinners ruling the roost in this tournament so far, Nonkululeko Mlaba will hope to double down on a four-wicket haul against New Zealand.
Her firing will be key to South Africa managing its first win in the format against India since 2022.