New Zealand will host India for the third ODI of the ongoing five-match series, in Queenstown. New Zealand, 2-0 up in the series, have been the superior side. Their top order shone in both matches, Suzie Bates scoring a hundred in the first ODI and Amelia Kerr in a tricky chase in the second.
New Zealand look prepared for the the World Cup, due to start at home in two weeks. They have most bases covered, and will start as one of the favourites. They continued to experiment with their line ups even in the second ODI. Amy Satterthwaite led instead of Sophie Devine, Lea Tahuhu gave way to Fran Jonas, and Devine returned to her preferred opening slot. They will continue to test various combinations and will ensure that all their players get a good run.
Their top order, consisting of Bates, Devine, Amelia Kerr and Amy Satterthwaite, is their biggest strength, but they also have some handy hitters in the lower order as displayed by Tahuhu and Jess Kerr. The pair will also lead the bowling, with Hannah Rowe, Fran Jonas, Hayley Jansen and Rosemary Mair also playing key roles.
Smriti Mandhana will finally return to the Indian XI to boost their strength. The team management will, as a result, have to leave out one of S. Meghana and Yastika Bhatia, both of whom impressed in the last match. India can also rest Harmanpreet Kaur, who has looked out of touch in this series.
India missed the experienced Jhulan Goswami in the last match, and will hope at least one of Jhulan and Meghna Singh to return to the line-up. In the absence of both, they failed to defend 270 in the second ODI despite Deepti Sharma's 4-52.
Likely XIs
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Amelia Kerr, Amy Satterthwaite, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Katie Martin, Lea Tahuhu, Hayley Jansen, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Maire.
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
Fantasy Tips
- Pick top-order batters like Bates, Devine, Mandhana and Verma.
- The all-rounders, Amelia Kerr and Sharma, proved their worth in the last match.
- Among bowlers, Jess Kerr, Gayakwad and Vastrakar should be key picks for fantasy.
Fantasy XI
Richa Ghosh; Suzie Bates (c), Sophie Devine, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma; Amelia Kerr, Deepti Sharma; Jess Kerr, Hayley Jansen, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Also read: https://cricketnews.com/news/india-win-first-t20i-against-west-indies-6-wickets