Kuala Lumpur, Jan 30 (FN Bureau) India’s untested middle order will face its sternest examination yet as the defending champions take on an England side heavily reliant on opener Davina Perrin in the semifinal of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup here on Friday. While India have bulldozed through the competition with a perfect record, their middle order remains largely unchallenged, whereas England’s inconsistent middle order has been a lingering concern.Under the astute leadership of Niki Prasad, India have lived up to their billing, dismantling all opposition en route to the knockouts. Having played all their matches at the Bayumeas Oval, they enter the semifinal unbeaten, securing emphatic wins over West Indies, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Scotland. Their only real test came against Sri Lanka, where they still managed a commanding 60-run victory. India’s dominance has stemmed from their formidable bowling attack, spearheaded by VJ Joshitha and Shabnam Shakil. The duo has provided early breakthroughs consistently, helping India claim 19 wickets in the powerplay—the most by any team in the tournament. Joshitha’s ability to swing the ball both ways has drawn comparisons to Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Complementing the pacers, India’s trio of left-arm spinners—Parunika Sisodia, Aayushi Shukla, and Vaishnavi Sharma—have choked opposition batting lineups. Sharma, in particular, has been outstanding, claiming 12 wickets at an average of 2.33 and an economy rate of just 2.00, including a hat-trick. With the bat, G Trisha has been India’s standout performer. She became the tournament’s first centurion with an unbeaten 110 off 59 balls against Scotland and showcased her temperament on a tricky surface against Sri Lanka, top-scoring with 49 when no other batter crossed 16. However, India’s middle order remains untested. In comfortable chases against West Indies, Malaysia, and Bangladesh, India barely required contributions from their lower-order batters. The only instance of a collapse came against Sri Lanka, where they scraped to 118/9, with only Trisha displaying resilience. If the middle order is required to step up in the semifinal, it will be under pressure for the first time in the tournament. England, on the other hand, have endured an inconsistent campaign, impacted by rain and an unfavourable points carryover system.
No-results against Ireland and Nigeria denied them the top spot in their Super 6 group, setting up a difficult clash against India. However, they have been dominant in must-win encounters, particularly against New Zealand and USA.England’s batting revolves around Perrin, who has amassed 131 runs at a blistering strike rate of 145.55, including five sixes—the joint-most in the competition. Her 74 off 45 balls against USA highlighted her match-winning prowess. Their bowling attack is led by Tilly Corteen-Coleman, who has been exceptional with her left-arm spin, claiming seven wickets at an economy of 2.8. Off-spinner Prisha Thanawala and all-rounder Trudy Johnson provide depth, while wicketkeeper Katie Jones has impressed with nine dismissals in three games.However, England’s over-reliance on Perrin remains a glaring weakness. Their middle order has been inconsistent, and frequent changes at the top suggest instability. Additionally, England have played all 15 squad members due to rain-affected matches, potentially disrupting their team balance. To challenge India, England will need to counter the trio of left-arm spinners, with Jemima Spence—who opened against New Zealand—likely playing a crucial role in tackling the spin threat. With the ball, England will bank on support for Corteen-Coleman to trouble India’s batting lineup. With India aiming to defend their title and England seeking redemption after their 2023 final loss, an enthralling contest awaits.