Mithali Raj and Co in must-win clash

Unlucky to have lost the previous tie against Pakistan by just two runs by the D/L method, the Indian women’s cricket team will be fighting for survival when they take on England at the ICC World Twenty20 here on Tuesday.

A defeat would all but throw the home team out of the competition and the Mithali Raj-led side will want to put their best foot forward against the English.

Unlike the previous edition, where India were ousted in the group stage, they are stronger contenders this time around, courtesy a good showing in the T20 format, including a historic 2-1 away series win over Australia in January followed by the 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in the run up to the ongoing World T20.

In their last match also, India could have won the tie had rain not played spoilsport.

Although, the hosts had posted a meagre 96/7 and also started badly in the field, they had pulled things back and had reduced Pakistan to 77/6 in 16 overs when the heavens opened up.

India did not bat too well against Pakistan but the likes of Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Veda Krishnamurthy are capable of getting the better of any side if they fire in unison.

The bowling department spearheaded by veteran Jhulan Goswami is also expected to come good.

India will take confidence from their recent performances when they take the field at this picturesque stadium for the first time in an international match.

England began their campaign on a high with a comfortable win over Bangladesh.

In fact, the former World T20 champions are on a roll having thrashed New Zealand twice and South Africa once in the warm-up matches.