Indore, Oct 18 (NationPress) As India embarks on a pivotal phase of their 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup journey with an intense match against England at the Holkar Stadium this Sunday, off-spin bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma revealed that the team has devised targeted strategies for the upcoming matches, aiming to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

After a week-long break, India, currently positioned fourth in the points table with four matches played, recognizes the necessity of winning their remaining three games to solidify their chances of reaching the semi-finals.

“The break was beneficial. We needed to reflect on how to enhance our strategies. As a unit, we bonded over various activities, while also enjoying some leisure time alongside our planning. We focused on training and revising our tactics, leading to the formulation of new strategies for the remainder of the World Cup,” Deepti shared during the pre-match press conference on Saturday.

Despite their challenges with a high dot ball percentage, Indian batters have been cautious when facing left-arm spinners. Bowlers like Inoka Ranaweera, Sadia Iqbal, and Nonkululeko Mlaba have exposed vulnerabilities in the Indian batting lineup against this style of bowling.

Deepti emphasized that the team has been specifically training to tackle left-arm spinners, with England's left-arm bowlers Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith posing a significant challenge in Indore.

“Our practice sessions have been tailored to counter the bowlers we will face, focusing on both left-arm and off-spin bowling. We have put in considerable effort as both a bowling unit and a team,” she stated.

“We had a recent series against England (in July) that yielded positive results, winning the ODI series 2-1. It’s crucial how we perform as a team on the match day, and with our return, we aim to improve our game,” she added.

Having played numerous matches against England, Deepti is well-acquainted with their lineup, both from international contests and Women's Premier League (WPL) games. In her franchise, UP Warriorz, she has shared the field with Sophie, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and Lauren Bell.

“I understand their bowling and batting dynamics well due to my extensive experience against them. My approach is simple: enjoy the game. Regardless of the scenario, I aim to enjoy myself while contributing effectively. I assess the situation keenly and focus on how I can aid the team’s progress,” she remarked.

Deepti expressed her confidence in skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, believing in her capacity to turn the game around. Despite a lackluster run in the World Cup with only 71 runs in four games, Harmanpreet has been intensively training ahead of the match.

“I have complete faith in her. The way she has been batting indicates she can change the outcome of a match at any moment. You might recall her century in the last ODI match during our series in England. She’s a remarkable player, and we support her. We believe she will lead us to victory, and we remain optimistic,” Deepti added.

Sunday’s match will mark India’s first and only appearance at the Holkar Stadium, which is expected to be a full house. Deepti mentioned that they have taken lessons from the previous two matches held at the venue, particularly noting Australia’s decisive victory over New Zealand by 89 runs.

“We observed that the pitch played differently during the first 15-20 overs in the last match. Consequently, we have adjusted our plans accordingly. Our team is very positive about supporting one another and securing a victory tomorrow to earn those two points,” she stated.

“I would emphasize the importance of trusting our team. We are committed to backing each other, and it’s essential that we replicate the successful strategies we implemented in our first two games during tomorrow's clash,” she concluded.

Deepti remained non-committal about India’s choice of six bowling options against England, stating, “I cannot disclose that as it depends on management’s strategy regarding the pitch conditions. Ultimately, it is their decision. However, we are focused on executing whatever five or six bowling options we have. Our plans, as discussed in team meetings, are aimed at implementation.”