Women's World Cup 2022, India vs England: India aim for consistency in clash against England

Currently placed third after a morale-boosting 155-run against the West Indies, India would like to keep the winning momentum going and maintain their stay in the top four especially when they take on table toppers Australia after England. After an inexplicably slow performance against New Zealand when the Indian batters played out 162 dot balls, Smriti Mandhana (123 off 119) and Harmanpreet Kaur (109 off 107) produce a splendid batting display, slamming twin centuries against the West Indies to power India to their highest total (317/8) in the history of the showpiece event. "I think for us, it is very important the way we performed in the last game; we just need to continue that, rather than thinking about what are your negatives and what are your positive points," vice-captain Kaur told reporters on the eve of the game.

Both openers -- Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia -- showed intent from the very beginning, something coach Romesh Powar had stressed upon ahead of the match. Mandhana played a fluent 123 run-knock while Kaur also continued her fine run, bringing up her fourth ton and the first since hitting the famous 171 not out against Australia in the 2017 World Cup. The duo will be eager to continue in the same vein with the race for semifinal berths heating up. However, all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who has been elevated to the top, has to do more with the bat as does skipper Mithali Raj, who has also been off the boil recently. Young Richa Ghosh, who has been brilliant behind the wickets, has so far crumbled under the pressure with the bat. The 18-year-old is yet to replicate her sensational form against New Zealand last month. India also have quality all-rounders with Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar already displaying