Having failed to register a single win so far in the Tri-Series tournament, West Indies will be eager to bag a victory when they square off against favorites India at Buffalo Park in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The match will start at 10:30 PM IST.
West Indies slumped to a ten-wicket loss against South Africa in their previous match as the hosts chased a modest total of 98 with 38 balls remaining. They lost by 44 runs against South Africa in their previous match as they responded to a total of 97 while chasing 142.
India, on the other hand, has been in scintillating form in the tournament. They have beaten both South Africa and West Indies previously. Against South Africa, India scored 147 with the bat while batting first. Amanjot Kaur scored a quickfire knock of 41 runs off 30 balls while Yastika Bhatia and Deepti Sharma scored 35 and 33 respectively.
Head to Head record
This will be the twentieth encounter between India and Women in T20Is. While the Women in Blue came out on top on nine occasions, the Caribbean outfit bagged the upper hand on the other eight times.
Smriti Mandhana’s 74-run innings off 51 balls coupled with Harmanpreet Kaur’s 56 off 35 deliveries lifted India to a score of 167/2. West Indies could muster only 111/4 in response. Shermaine Campbell scored 47 runs but it came at an expense of 57 balls which downplayed its impact.
Key Players
Harmanpreet Kaur: Harmanpreet’s fierce knock of 56 runs off 35 balls in the previous match against West Indies helped India cross the 160-run mark. Striking four boundaries, she accelerated briskly and preserved her wicket till the end. Harmanpreet will be a tough nut to crack for the West Indies bowlers.
Shanika Bruce: Shanika was the most economical bowler from a lot of the West Indies players. Conceding only 25 runs from her quota of four overs and taking the prized wicket of Harleen Deol, she would be eager for more this time.
Team News
India is expected to field the same side that started against South Africa. They have done a lot of tinkering with their bowling line-up but seems to have finally settled themselves.
West Indies, too, may make no further changes as there are no injury concerns. Their batters will have to step up this time to post a significant total.
Predicted Playing XI
India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur ©, Devika Vaidya, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
West Indies Women: Rashada Williams, Britney Cooper, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Hayley Matthews ©, Afy Fletcher, Shamilia Connell, Shanika Bruce, Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz
Prediction
West Indies have struggled big time in the tournament and look seriously ill-prepared for the ICC Women’s World T20 Championships. The gulf in sides between the two sides should help India pick the victory.