India name team for CricInfo Women's World Cup 2000

The selection process in women's cricket circles is often rather different from what happens in the men's game. When an Indian men's team is to be selected, all five selectors arrive in advance, go behind closed doors, deliberate and emerge to address a keenly attended press conference. With women's cricket, it is not unusual for a team to be selected without all five selectors being present. One is not sure whether this was the case when the team for the CricInfo Women's World Cup was finalised. As it turned out, the team chosen was probably the most balanced one possible.

Having earlier announced that stumper Anju Jain would lead the side, Anjum Chopra was given cause to celebrate when she was named vice captain. Other veterans who have made the cut include Chanderkanta Kaul (formerly Chanderkanta Aheer), Renu Margrate, Purnima Rau and Kalyani Dhokarikar (formerly Kalyani Umbrani). Regular members of Indian teams of yesteryears, Neetu David, Mithali Raj, Deepa Kulkarni, Rupanjali Shastri, Hemalatha Kala and Smitha Harikrishna were also automatic selections.

The relative newcomers in India's campaign are wicketkeeper Arundhati Kirkire, mediumpacer Sunita Kanojia and Kavita Roy.

Veteran Mumbai left hander Arati Vaidya finds herself in the standbyes list in the company of Maharashtra allrounder Amrita Shinde, young mediumpacer Jhulan Goswami, Gulshan Sharma and Bindeshwari Goel.

Although one would have liked to see Arati Vaidya in the final list of fifteen, her recent fitness problems and lack of form justify her omission to a large extent. Kavita Roy has been in sparkling form with the bat and it would have been very difficult to overlook her. Similarly, offspinner Rupanjali Shastri has picked wickets at regular intervals and is a certainty to play.

In the recently concluded camp at Chandigarh, the squad played nine practice matches. Mithali Raj, who has done well for Air India in the past, was easily the most consistent with the bat. In the spin department, which is traditionally India's strength, Rupanjali Shastri shone while Purnima Rau has displayed a return to form. Neetu David is reported to have rediscovered her loop of old and this bodes well. Deepa Kulkarni is a reliable spinning option and this completes a potent quartet.

With four spinners in the side, the role of the mediumpacers is considerably reduced. Renu Margrate is the most experienced mediumpacer and she is certain to make the playing eleven. To keep her company there is Sunita Kanojia, Smitha Harikrishna, Kalyani Dhokarikar and possibly even Anjum Chopra. Although Anjum Chopra has not bowled much off late, it must be remembered that she made her debut for India as a mediumpacer.

Sudha Shah, former Indian captain, was named cricketing manager while C Sudhakar was appointed the physiotherapist and Jyoti Joshi bagged the post of administrative manager.

Speaking exclusively to CricInfo after the team was announced, Sudha Shah said "I'm very happy with the team. It's a well balanced side and we will be competitive in New Zealand." She went on to add that she was happy with the way the last camp panned out. She said that the squad played a lot of practice matches and that this helped a great deal. Sudha went to add, "Mithali Raj has been batting very well. She's been in very good form off late and should be the mainstay of our batting in New Zealand." In a similar vein, Sudha Shah said that the spinners were doing the job well and that India would rely on them to shoulder a majority of the burden in the CricInfo Women's World Cup.

Anju Jain (Captain), Anjum Chopra (Vice-Captain), Chanderkanta Kaul, Neetu David, Mithali Raj, Deepa Kulkarni, Purnima Rau, Rupanjali Shastri, Hemalatha Kala, Kalyani Dhokarikar, Renu Margrate, Arundhati Kirkire, Sunita Kanojia, Smitha Harikrishna, Kavita Roy

Stand-bys: Amrita Shinde, Arati Vaidya, Gulshan Sharma, Jhulan Goswami, Bindeshwari Goel

Officials : Cricketing Manager - Ms. Sudha Shah Administrative Manager - Ms. Jyoti Joshi Physiotherapist - C Sudhakar