Former captain Mithali Raj believes the Indian team has struggled in both batting and bowling at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 and that they must perform well in all three areas of the game in the semi-final.
On Saturday, India lost by 11 runs to England after their chase ran out of steam in the final overs, when they needed a daunting 31 runs from the final six deliveries.
England improved their tournament record against India to 6-0, also storming to the top of the Group 2 table, thanks to a final over of 19 runs.
Raj, speaking on the 100% Cricket Podcast, pointed out that India struggled in the middle overs of both innings.
"The point at which India lost Smriti Mandhana was critical because she was forming a partnership with Richa Ghosh. Until she arrived, there was hope that India could win this game, but it was a tall order for India's lower-middle order to chase down the total," Mithali explained.
"(England) were expensive in the Power-play, but when it came to the middle overs and the death overs, they were disciplined. They stopped the opposition's runs and got those wicks.
"(Sophie) Ecclestone, the No.1 T20 bowler, demonstrated why she is the best in this format by dismissing Harmanpreet Kaur in her first over," she added.
With the defeat, England will finish first in the group, barring a disastrous performance against Pakistan on Tuesday in Cape Town. As a result, India's path to the tournament final takes an unfavourable turn, with a likely semi-final meeting with world No. 1 and defending champions Australia.
Raj, who is commentating on the tournament, says her former teammates must improve in all areas if they are to upset the favourites if they meet them.
"They must perform admirably in the semifinals. Because it's a knockout and you're competing against the best in the world, you must excel in all three areas. So far, India has been very scratchy in both batting and bowling. They've done well in patches of fielding "She stated.
Despite being put in some difficult situations, Australia's collective quality across the 15-player squad has resulted in four victories on the other side of the draw.
Tripping up at 40/3 from seven overs against South Africa, Australia's middle-order not only steadied the ship with Ash Gardner (28 from 29 balls), but also countered with Tahlia McGrath's 57 (33), winning in the 17th over.
Given the batting quality of the Australian group, Raj believes that a target of eight runs per over or more is the only way to keep the pressure on the entire team.
"If you're going to beat a team like Australia, you've got to set a goal, and it can't be less than 160 points. The Indian team relies heavily on spinners, and so far, only Deepti Sharma has delivered "According to the former India captain.
"Even when you have players like Renuka Thakur, Shikha Pandey, and Deepti, you need help from the other bowlers to defend a target you set. So, when they face Australia in the league phase, India must significantly improve on their performance in the league phase "She went on to say.
Apart from calling the action, Raj has other motivations for attending the tournament, given her role as a mentor for the Gujarat Giants in the inaugural Women's Premier League, which begins on March 4.
While she laments the tournament's late start for her as a player, Raj is content to watch history unfold from the other side of the boundary.
"I'm very happy to be watching the game from the sidelines, watching and commentating, so a very different perspective.
"I'm sure with the WPL and the other leagues around the world, every other player from different countries gets to participate and gain more exposure with regards to this format, it's only going to help (the game)," Mithali concluded.