Analysis | Team India's small changes costing them big against Alyssa Healy
Written By: Jeet Vachharajani
Date: 11-12-2022
Picture Courtesy: Cricket Queens
I honestly don't have an answer on how professional teams could not have the eye to observe the subtle changes that are creating a big shift. The Renuka Singh vs. Alyssa Healy ploy will leave you surprised because India is erring and going off the beaten path after having got success with a very good plan earlier this year.
I will look at 3 instances covering 3 games where Renuka Singh bowled the 1st over to Alyssa Healy and how India has been getting their placement of the slip fielder (Deepti Sharma) wrong and the rationale behind it.
CWG 2022 - Group game
This was the game that had set the benchmark on what works against Healy for Renuka Singh. This was the very instance where things worked to perfection on the very first ball of the game that Renuka bowled to Healy. Healy looked to guide the ball that seamed away & edged the ball.
Observe: The wicket-keeper is standing well behind and Deepti Sharma is close to her. The edge takes the ball straight into the hands of Deepti without requiring her to move an inch.
CWG 2022 - Gold Medal Match
This is the game from where India started to complicate things unnecessarily. They decided to have the WK stand up the stumps & it was that move that ruined a lot of things.
Observe: The WK is standing up the stumps and as a result of that, Deepti Sharma is moved a little wider. When the WK is standing up to the stumps, the slip is moved a little wide as the WK is expected to cut the angle a little. But this very logic is proving costly for Team India. Renuka delivers another delivery that seams away and Healy yet again plays the same shot to get an edge on it. However, this time the ball flies to the left of Deepti as she is standing wide. Had she stood in the same position as the group game, it was another catch coming straight into her hands.
INDIA v AUSTRALIA - 1st T20I
The same plans spilled over in the first T20I as well. India started with the WK standing back on the first two balls that Renuka bowled to Healy.
But, the WK was again asked to stand up on the 3rd ball of the over that Renuka bowled to Healy.
Observe: The history repeated. The WK came up, Deepti was pushed wide, Renuka bowled a Seam Out delivery, Healy played the same shot, & the ball yet again went wide on the left of Deepti for 4.
COMPARISON
My view is simple here. I like the idea of the WK standing up to the stumps for certain batters and Healy is one of them against whom it should be implemented. But, an adjustment in the field is very important to complement that move. Deepti should either stand a couple of steps closer or at the position where she stands when the WK is back - OR - Harman needs to have 2 slips in place for the first over or two of Renuka if there is any movement in the air or off the pitch.