Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup presents the perfect opportunity for Indian stars Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma to rediscover their best form after recent struggles.
Mandhana and Deepti have endured relatively quiet periods leading into the tournament. Deepti found it difficult to make a significant impact during India’s T20I series in South Africa, while vice-captain Mandhana managed only 40 runs in three innings against England. However, Hussain feels major tournaments often bring out the best in experienced players.
Speaking during JioStar’s Media Day, Hussain described Deepti as a player who thrives under pressure and is an essential part of India’s playing XI. He praised her experience, game awareness, and familiarity with English conditions through her participation in domestic competitions such as The Hundred.
Hussain also highlighted Mandhana as a player capable of making a strong comeback during the World Cup. According to him, performances in bilateral series quickly fade from memory once a global tournament begins, and players often elevate their game on the biggest stage.
While expressing confidence in India’s batting lineup, Hussain identified bowling as the team’s primary concern. He praised India’s aggressive batting approach, depth in the lineup, and the finishing abilities of Richa Ghosh. However, he questioned the team’s bowling combinations, particularly regarding the use of additional bowling options and decisions surrounding the new ball.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Hussain expects traditional powerhouses such as Australia, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa to remain strong contenders. He noted that Australia remain the benchmark despite recent disappointments in ICC events, while New Zealand enter the competition as defending champions.
Hussain also tipped the West Indies as potential dark horses and stressed that Pakistan will need to significantly raise their standards if they hope to challenge top teams, including arch-rivals India, during the tournament.
