The hammer and the scalpel

Myrthe van den Raad, featuring in her maiden World Cup game, had a forgetful start. The third of her six wides helped India's opening pair bring up their half-century stand in the most anti-dramatic fashion.

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma were comfortably rooted to their crease, having already crunched nine boundaries. Soon to be India's highest Powerplay score in the T20 World Cup, it was the first half-century stand for India's most prolific pair in five innings.

The last time the duo had such a stretch without a half-century partnership longer than this was back in December 2022.

On Wednesday, runs kept flowing with ease. Even when Shafali departed in the 12th over, India were well placed. Mandhana accelerated before falling four overs later, and then the Indian innings crumbled. If not for the dominant opening partnership and the flurry of extras, India could have fallen short of the 200-run mark.

Shafali is the hammer, Mandhana is the scalpel. They delight in equal measure. When synced together, there is nothing more enthralling – the blend of power and grace.

"I feel like hitting 18 runs off six balls, but she's the one to keep me calm. (She tells me) Play along the ground," Shafali admitted. "The best thing is that whatever shots I can't hit, she hits them and she has the best seat to tell me what I'm doing is right or wrong. We both know how to rotate strike… We have been playing with each other for many years."

India's chances in the ongoing World Cup are heavily dependent on the performances of the openers.

Most runs in T20Is among openers post T20 WC (batters from WC teams)

Mandhana & Shafali in Powerplay (since 2024 T20 World Cup)

Mandhana-Shafali partnership for India in T20Is

No pair in the world has scored more runs together in T20Is than Mandhana and Shafali.

Most runs by openers in T20Is (since the 2024 T20 World Cup)

Across conditions and oppositions, the duo has managed to excel. Even in slower conditions like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and UAE, they have scored at a brisk pace.

Mandhana-Shafali's opening partnership in each country (T20Is)

They have outperformed openers of top oppositions across conditions:

• Vs Australia (23 innings): 706 runs at 8.37 RR
• Vs England (21 innings): 655 runs at 8.11 RR
• Vs South Africa (12 innings): 465 runs at 8.27 RR

India's batting line-up is fairly fragile beyond the openers. Jemimah Rodrigues isn't the most explosive. Harmanpreet Kaur's returns have been inconsistent. The No 5 position is up for grabs. Richa Ghosh is shouldering too much burden of death over hitting.

The big runs and explosiveness provided by Mandhana and Shafali are imperative if India hope for their maiden T20 World Cup glory. This century-stand against Netherlands has allowed the duo to brush aside the rustiness from the England tour.

"We both have a lot of confidence before the crucial matches. We both are ready to tackle that," said Shafali.