
India ready for penultimate AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification test against Iraq
at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium at 14:30 IST.
India currently sit at the top of the table with six points and a goal difference of +17 after wins
against Mongolia (13-0) and Timor-Leste (4-0). Thailand are in second, also with six points but
a goal difference of +11. Iraq have already played three games and are on four points. They
must defeat India to have any chance of staying alive on the road to Australia.
While it has turned into a race between India and Thailand to increase their goal difference before they meet on the final day (July 5), Blue Tigresses coach Crispin Chettri affirmed that three points
are the bigger priority, and the sole focus is only the Iraq game at the moment.
"Thailand is the last match, but for now, our full focus is on Iraq. We shouldn't worry about how many goals Thailand or we have scored, or will score. The priority is to approach the Iraq match with a positive mindset and go for the win. Getting those three points is the most important thing. It will
set us up to go into the Thailand game with full confidence and nine points with us," said Chettri.
After defeating Timor-Leste on Sunday, Chettri and his coaching staff stayed at the stadium to watch Iraq suffer a 0-7 drubbing at the hands of the hosts. It has been a rollercoaster ride for the 173rd-ranked West Asians, who were held goalless by Timor-Leste in the first game, before defeating Mongolia 5-2 to earn their first-ever victory on the international stage.
Giving his opinion on the Iraq side coached by their former men's international Abdul-Wahab Abu Al-Hail and ranked 103 places below India, Chettri said, "For me, Iraq are not as weak as people might think. They're a good side, but they've been playing back-to-back matches, so we may have an advantage in terms of recovery.
"Overall, I don't see a big difference between Iraq and Timor-Leste. I feel Timor-Leste were more organised. So, I think we'll get more opportunities to play our game against Iraq. It should be a
good match for us to try a few new things as well."
With only two days to prepare after the Timor-Leste match, the Blue Tigresses utilised their break fruitfully, with recovery in the pool and a gym session on Monday morning, followed by a full training session on Tuesday morning.
"We worked on the areas where we fell short in the matches against both Timor-Leste and Mongolia. We're now giving players specific responsibilities, whether it's in attack or in 1v1 defending. That was the main focus of the preparation," said Chettri.
After only the first two games, Chettri has already used 22 players, including all outfielders, from the 23-member squad. The Indian coach expressed he might look to continue with the rotation trend in the Iraq game and distribute valuable minutes to younger and newer players, while also hoping to keep everyone fresh for the last game.
"More or less, all players have gotten chances. Of course, we cannot take the Iraq match lightly. There may be some rotation, but key players will still get minutes. Giving game time to upcoming players is important at such a stage, but in crucial matches, we'll have to stick to a core group. If
we manage to score early, then we may be able to rotate more freely," said Chettri.
Winger Soumya Guguloth, who suffered a nasal bone fracture during the match against Timor-Leste, has been ruled out of Wednesday's match.
UNI BM
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
Amanjot Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues power India to 24-run win over England in 2nd T20I
Indian juggernaut in the white-ball tour continued as Amanjot Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues hit radiant fifties to propel the visitors to a commanding 24-run win over England in the second T20 International here. Tuesday night's win handed Harmanpreet Kaur 's side a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, having won the opener by a record-shattering 97-run margin last week. Amanjot (63 not out off 40 balls), who scored her maiden T20I fifty, and Rodrigues (63 off 41 deliveries) posted a formidable 181 for 4 after being asked to bat. The Indian bowlers, led by spinners, then did their bit to restrict the home side to 157 for 7 in 20 overs despite Tammy Beaumont's 35-ball 54, marking the first time any team has been able to beat England in a women's T20I in Bristol. "Good win for us, the way the entire team performed today was special to see. The way Jemimah and Amanjot played gave us a platform. When boundaries were not coming they were looking for twos. Still it's a long time to see how it'll be in the World Cup. Just focus on this series. Spin is our strength and I want to back that," Harmanpreet said after the win. Live Events India's innings began in disarray with opener Shafali Verma (3), last game's centurian Smriti Mandhana (13) and skipper Harmanpreet (1), who returned after missing the first match, all back in the dug-out inside the powerplay. After a shaky start, the elegant Rodrigues, who scored nine boundaries and a six, and spirited Amanjot not only resurrected India from 31 for 3 with 93-run stand for the fourth wicket but also laid the foundation for a towering 181 for 4, hitting a flurry of boundaries. Rodrigues eventually perished in the 15th over, caught by Sophia Dunkley off Lauren Bell, but Amanjot marched on. Amanjot, whose innings was laced with nine boundaries, then stitched a 57-run stand with the big-hitting Richa Ghosh (32 not out off 22 balls), who provided the final flourish as India recorded the second-highest total in WT20Is here. The tourists picked up 117 runs in the last 10 overs. India were sharp in the field as they effected as many as three run outs including that of Sophia Dunkley (1) in the first over. Seasoned spinner Deepti Sharma struck of the very next ball to dismiss Danni Wyatt-Hodge (1) as both England openers' stay was short lived. Amanjot returned to the spotlight, dismissing the ever-dangerous Nat Sciver-Brunt, as England, like India, too suffered a batting collapse to slump to 17 for 3 by the fourth over. Beaumont and keeper-batter Amy Jones (32) kept England afloat with a 70-run stand. But, left arm-spinner Shree Charani (2/28) caught Jones off her own bowling in the 15th over to thwart all hopes for an England win. Sophie Ecclestone (35) hit some boundaries but it was not enough. "It's new Indian team. Wherever we play, home or away, we are ready to dominate. That was our plan and we did that today," said Amanjot who was adjudged player of match for his 63 with the bat and one wicket with the ball.


NDTV
20 minutes ago
- NDTV
Shubman Gill's Swipe Own Teammates In Press Conference: "Not Able To Contribute..."
Ahead of the second test against England, Indian skipper Shubman Gill spoke about the Indian lower-order batting and said our lower-order batting sometimes isn't able to contribute as much as the other teams. While speaking in the pre-match presentation, Shubman Gill said, "It's been one of the things that we always talk about, especially with our batting depth that our batting lower order sometimes isn't able to contribute as much as the other teams." Gill spoke about his innings of 147 in the first test against England and said he could have scored 50 more in a partnership with Rishabh Pant. "But having said that, you can also look at the other side as well. I was batting on 147, and the way I got out, maybe I could have scored 50 more in a partnership with Rishabh. If you get a good ball and you get out, that's fine," he added. Gill also said the Indian top order should take more responsibility and bat longer, especially with a weaker lower order, to prevent the opposition from gaining an advantage. "But once you are set and you know that you don't really have that much depth in your batting order, maybe the top order could take a little bit more responsibility and bat completely out of the game. So I think these are different perspectives to look at the game. But definitely your lower order, when your last 5 or 6 doesn't contribute as much, then it becomes easier for the opposition to come back in the game," Gill said. Gill reflected on bowling consistently in one area, especially against a batting line-up like England. "The important thing is how consistently you bowl in one area against a batting line-up like England. They hit a loose ball or a good ball, so as a bowler, it is difficult to put consistently when the ball and wicket are not matching. So, the main thing is how consistently we can put the ball in an area," he added. Going into the second Test at Birmingham, India is trailing 0-1. During the last game, India failed to defend a 371-run target, despite having four fast bowling options in Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, and Mohammed Siraj, and only one spinner, Ravindra Jadeja.


India Today
33 minutes ago
- India Today
ENG vs IND, Birmingham weather forecast: Will rain douse India's comeback?
India's hopes of bouncing back in the Test series against England may not just depend on runs and wickets — the skies over Birmingham could have the final say. After a heavy loss in Leeds, Shubman Gill and his men head to Edgbaston with the intent to square the series. But with the weather looking far from ideal, their road to redemption could be a soggy opening Test of the India-England series at Leeds was dominated by batters, but it was India who led the charge with the willow. While England managed just one century, Indian batters racked up five across the match, taking full advantage of a surface that offered little assistance to bowlers. The game, however, lacked sustained momentum due to multiple rain interruptions, which not only broke the flow of play but also disrupted the rhythm of both teams at crucial the series heads to Edgbaston for the second Test, the script promises to be far less predictable. Birmingham's ever-changing weather is expected to play a pivotal role, with rain forecast ahead of the opening day's play. Conditions are likely to remain overcast through the morning, which could inject life into the pitch and offer bowlers the kind of movement they were starved of in Leeds. For both India and England, adapting quickly to these shifting variables could be the key to taking control in threatens a stop-start beginningadvertisement The second Test in Birmingham could begin on a damp note, quite literally. With rain expected early in the morning on July 2 — around 9 and 10 AM local time (1:30 and 2:30 PM IST) — there's a real chance that the 11 AM toss (3:30 PM IST) and first ball might be pushed back. Evening showers are also on the radar around 7 PM (11:30 PM IST), setting up the prospect of a fragmented opening makes things even more tricky is the thick cloud cover that's expected to linger through most of the day. For the bowlers, this might finally be a welcome change from the batter-dominated Leeds Test. The pitch may look friendly to bat on, but under dark skies, it's the fast bowlers who could enjoy the early advantage — if the rain allows enough play. BBC Weather forecast of Birmingham. A toss that could shift momentumIn conditions like these, the toss isn't just ceremonial — it could be decisive. With early movement in the air almost guaranteed, the captain who wins it may be tempted to unleash their pace attack straightaway. Both sides know the value of first-day wickets, especially in a Test that might lose chunks of time skies, but only brieflyadvertisementDay 2 (July 3) offers some respite, with only a slim chance of rain and some sunshine expected — ideal for batting. Day 3 (July 4) should remain dry too, although the heavy cloud cover might keep things interesting for the seamers. These two days could be the most uninterrupted part of the match — and could define whether either team gets India, this window might be vital. If they're chasing the game or need to build scoreboard pressure, they'll have to make every over count here. England, with a 1-0 lead, will want to keep them under pressure set to return for the weekendThe weather, though, is forecast to take a turn again by Saturday and Sunday (July 5 and 6). Showers are expected to dominate the final two days, with rain chances going over 60% on Day 4 and peaking above 90% on Day 5. With this level of disruption expected, it's quite possible that we don't even get a full day's play across the from various services paint a similar picture: intermittent play, long delays, and the constant looming threat of rain breaking the match beat the weather?That's the big question. With three of five days under serious threat from rain, both teams will need to be smart with their time and tactics. England, full of confidence after their dominant win in Leeds, will want to put India under pressure early. India, meanwhile, will be hoping for not just a strong showing — but enough time on the field to make it vs IND, Edgbaston pitch conditionThe pitch is expected to offer a textbook English start—lush grass on top and a dry base underneath—perfect ingredients for swing and seam. With 11mm of grass reported just two days before the match and cloudy weather in the forecast, pacers should find plenty of assistance on Day 1. History backs the bowl-first strategy here too, with teams opting to bowl first winning 23 out of 56 Tests at this Edgbaston has its own rhythm. By Day 2 and 3, the surface generally eases out, providing truer bounce and allowing batters to settle in. Partnerships tend to flourish once the new ball threat fades. However, the narrative could shift again in the final stretch. While the venue hasn't traditionally favoured spin—spinners average over 44 per wicket this decade—Day 4 and 5 could bring them into the game as footmarks and cracks begin to appear. India, if they include Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar, might look to exploit whatever assistance the surface eventually offers, especially if it mirrors the gripping fifth-day finish witnessed at Headingley.- Ends