With the tournament set to begin later this month, Karthik believes India\u2019s ability to put opposition teams under pressure from the very first ball makes them a dangerous side in the shortest format.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIndia\u2019s biggest strength is that they can put teams under pressure from ball one. Smriti brings stability, Shafali brings explosiveness, and when those two get going together, they can take a game away in the Powerplay itself,\u201d Karthik told Jio Hotstar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former India cricketer credited the opening duo for playing a key role in India\u2019s success in white-ball cricket over recent years, particularly in the T20 format.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTheir partnership has been vital and a massive reason for India\u2019s performance in limited-overs cricket in recent times, more importantly in T20 cricket and going into a T20 World Cup, that\u2019s a massive advantage to have,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull also identified India\u2019s batting depth as a major factor behind their hopes of lifting the trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Doull pointed to the flexibility of India\u2019s top order and the impact of wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh in the middle and death overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhat makes this Indian batting unit dangerous is that the top four can set the platform in different ways, depending on the conditions and the situation. If the top four are able to set the game up, then you have a player like Richa coming in when bowlers are already under pressure, and she\u2019s one of the few players in the world who can turn a game on its head,\u201d Doull said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He further highlighted Richa\u2019s match-winning contributions during India\u2019s recent ICC Women\u2019s ODI World Cup triumph.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the kind of finishing power that wins World Cups. Once again going back to their ODI World Cup win, whether it was the South Africa game or the semi-final against Australia, the impetus Richa provided set her team up in a number of games,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He further highlighted Richa\u2019s match-winning contributions during India\u2019s recent ICC Women\u2019s ODI World Cup triumph.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India has never won the Women's T20 WC, and they will begin their campaign on June 14 against Pakistan at Birmingham.<\/p>\r\n\r\n