Why not Jemimah, not Shikha in the Women’s World Cup selection?

India’s national women’s selection team, led by Neetu David, has been adventurous since she took office last year. At home in the “debut” series against South Africa, ODI’s Shafali Verma was left out along with the seasoned Shikha Pandey.

A series of failures brought Verma and Pandey back on their tour of England and Australia.

But ahead of the Women’s World Cup, the selectors have once again opted out of the three high-profile campaigns – Jemimah Rodrigues, Shikha Pandey and Punam Raut – from the Indian national team. While Ekta Bisht is on standby, Harleen Deol also does not appear on the side.

Sources familiar with the development have confirmed this Sportsstar despite being fit, Pandey and Jemimah were left out because of the “diminutive” performances in the format. And the Indian cricket board does not allow selectors to speak to the media. So their versions are not available.

The 32-year-old Pandey last played an ODI in July, on a tour of England, and did not take part in eleven Australian games. Jemimah also took part in an ODI in England in July, where he won only four races.

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Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh Thakur, in favor of Yastika Bhatia – the selectors have stated that the focus is on young people and it is clear that they value the current form more than their reputation.

India international and former national team coach Gargi Banerjee believes he has a balanced side with the potential to make it to the World Cup, which starts in March. “It’s a very balanced side. Most are very seasoned and this mix of youth and experience will help make the difference. The best part is that most of the players are experienced and have participated in ICC tournaments in the past. That’s a big advantage of getting into the World Cup. In such a big tournament, there’s no room for experimentation, ”said Banerjee, who was the director of the Australian tour team. Sportsstar.

Although Banerjee is impressed with the way Sneh Rana joined the team, Jemimah is hurt by the rejection of a “real” talent. “Jemimah is a very talented player, but I have to say that we couldn’t train well. After joining the team from a young age, we had to make sure he didn’t lose his way, and we had to prepare. But that didn’t happen. So despite his great talent, it was turned on and off, ”Banerjee said.

“It simply came to our notice then. It’s a pity that a player of his caliber is out of the tournament …

As a former selector, Banerjee believes that the decision to look beyond Pandey and Raut could be made because of the inconsistency in their format. “Shikha, Punam and Ekta have given them a lot of opportunities. But to be honest, they haven’t been consistent. Shikha has slowed down a bit and as young people come in, maybe the selectors thought of giving them a chance, ”Banerjee said.

Former India captain Sudha Shah, who was a national selector until a couple of years ago, believes he should be on the Jemimah team. “Jemimah is a player over 50, so he should have given more stability to the batting department. He was definitely out of shape, but he had a good season in The Hundred and WBBL and increased his confidence. So it’s better he should be there on the team.” , said Shah. “Shikha could also be added to his bowling with his experience …”

With selectors hoping for a decent number of inexperienced players, Shah believes the middle order needs to be worked out. “The difference seems inexperienced, so I think it could have been balanced. Our central order needs a bit of work because we have often lost control of a game in the middle, so it’s important to address that area before the World Cup, ”he added.

The 2017 World Cup changed the dynamics of Indian women’s cricket and as another tournament calls for, five years later, Mithali Raj’s team has a lot to consider.