India's Spin and Fast-Bowling Options Take Shape Ahead of Women's Asia Cup

India's preparations for the upcoming Women's Asia Cup and World Cup are in full swing, and the team's spin and fast-bowling departments are taking shape. With Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma as the established first two spinners, the battle for the third spinner's spot is heating up between Shreyanka Patil and Asha Sobhana.

Patil and Sobhana both played key roles in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's WPL 2024 title triumph, with Patil offering batting depth and Sobhana providing variety with her wrist-spin. Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes the decision will be based on variety and form.

"If I have to pick skillful spinners, I would want a left-arm spinner, off-spinner, and leg-spinner," Chopra said. "Then the second question comes of the form. Radha Yadav is coming back into form, and Shreyanka brings a lot of value in terms of her bowling, fielding, and batting."

In the fast-bowling department, Arundhati Reddy has made a strong case for herself with impressive performances in the recent T20I and ODI series against South Africa. Her seam-bowling all-round ability and fielding prowess have caught the attention of the team management.

"Arundhati has done reasonably well on coming into the Indian team," Chopra said. "She adds a lot of quality in terms of the fielding department and can bat well."

India's success in the Women's Asia Cup has been built on consistency and a wide range of bowling options. Chopra believes the team needs to maintain that consistency and explore more bowling options.

"First and foremost thing will be the consistency and options of the playing 12," Chopra said. "Then the different wickets that they'll be playing on. They've seen Bangladesh and will now be playing in Sri Lanka. So who bowls when, where, how are scenarios and, situations, in terms of the bowling options as well."

Chopra also highlighted the need for a genuine all-rounder who can contribute in all three departments. "At this point of time, apart from Pooja Vastrakar, I don't see anyone filling that gap," she said. "If they can get those quick legs onto the park, they can get those utility players on the path that will really balance out things in all departments."

Tags: #Women'sCricket, #India, #Spinners, #FastBowlers, #AsiaCup