Smriti Mandhana is all set to return to the team when India Women take on the West Indies in their second match of the Women’s T20 World Cup, but is the bowlers’ form that will keep captain Harmanpreet Kaur a bit worried.

Despite a commanding seven-wicket win over Pakistan in their tournament opener, India were guilty of letting their opponents, who do not boast of a strong batting lineup, score too many runs. India let Pakistan score 91 runs in the last 10 overs.

Going ahead in the tournament and against tougher sides, it might hurt India. So on Wednesday in Cape Town, the team will surely want to rectify their lapses and put up an improved bowling performance.

With Mandhana, who is also the vice-captain of the side, the Indian batters pulled off their highest successful chase in the T20 World Cup with Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh excelling with the bat.

India bowling coach Troy Cooley is hopeful that Mandhana, who had a finger injury, will be fit to make her first appearance in the tournament against the Caribbean team.

“She has been working very hard and she will be assessed after training. She did everything that needed to be done and we are pretty confident she got through the session OK,” Cooley said.

The West Indies were crushed by England in their first game and so the Indians will have a mental edge going into the contest.

But there is no guarantee in the shortest format andHarmanpreet’s side will have to be alert.

Written with inputs from PTI

Today’s matches

Group 2

■ IND Women vs WI Women, Cape Town 6.30pm IST

■ IRE Women vs PAK Women, Cape Town 10.30pm IST

Live on Star Sports