In India's match, Yastika Bhatia scored a crucial half-century against the Bangla bowlers who were doing a really good job. In the previous match against Australia too, she scored a half-century. In both these matches, the situations were quite similar. A quick fall of first 2-3 wickets, and good bowling from the opposition, yet the youngster did well to adapt quickly and play sensibly to help India's cause. In the matches to come, where the role will be important for the team's performance. Too early to say, but she might just be the player India needed in big matches.
image by FGN NEWS
But what really makes her a better choice in play eleven? The answer is simple. Her ability to adapt according to the situations the team is facing. Even though she likes to bat at number 3, when she was given the task of opening the innings in the New Zealand series and the ongoing World cup, she did well at the position helping the team's cause.
Her biggest strength is the pull shot, which she plays effectively. In conditions like Australia and New Zealand, where bowlers target the batters with the short balls, Yastika has an upper hand over the bowlers due to her favourite pull shot. Plus she is one of the players who can score runs quickly according to the requirement. At times, reading the situation, she can defend the ball well too, which happened in today's as well as previous game. Undoubtedly her strike rate did drop in the matches, but she ensured that the wicket is not given away easily.
This makes her a player in big matches. In the historic Indian win in 2021, where Women in broke Australia's 26 matches winning streak, Yastika's contribution of 64 runs was crucial for India. When the required run rate went over 7, and Mithali was taking some time to set, Yastika attacked the Australian bowlers Tahilia and Perry with her pull shots. This helped India cruise according to the run rate, as well as forced Aussie bowlers to change their lengths. In the recently conducted Challenger trophy 2021 too, Yastika's knock of 86 runs in the final helped Indian A lift the trophy.
Having played only 7 matches before entering the world cup, the left-hander's selection in the squad was a shock for many. But her performances justify her selection. The reason for her performance is the practice sessions she had with the Baroda men's Domestic team. Her practice with Hardik and Krunal has helped her in facing better bowlers in the world cup. And she did give a glimpse of her increased prowess in the warm-up game against South Africa when she scored 58 runs.
In just a period of 6 months after making her debut, she has made her mark in international cricket. In absence of the talented Jemimah Rodrigues, it was necessary for India to have a batter who can do the job which Jemimah did. And Yastika has filled in her shoes perfectly. Be it the innings of 31 runs off 21 balls against West Indies when Smriti was initially struggling, or be it the half-centuries she scored against Australia and Bangladesh, she does contribute to her cause for her team. Her today's innings have earned her the first player of the match award. In. the further matches to come. for India, she will have. a huge role to play. Let's hope she does it and helps India lift their 1st ever world cup
Authored By:- Ashwin Jangam ( Cricket Analyst, Host and Entertainer)
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