India Women will start their New Zealand tour with a T20I at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown on Wednesday. This tour is crucial for their preparation for the Women’s World Cup starting in less than a month in the same country. Like India, New Zealand will also consider this as a practice opportunity, and most of the focus will be on the five-match ODI series.
Under Sophie Devine, New Zealand have a steady squad with a mix of experience and youth. The experienced trio of Devine, Suzie Bates and Amy Satterthwaite will form the core of their batting, along with Maddy Green and Katey Martin in the middle order. Amelia Kerr, who played a memorable innings in the last T20I between these two teams, will be their key all-rounder, along with Brooke Halliday.
The experienced Lea Tahuhu will lead the bowling pack, supported by Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, and Hayley Jansen. It is a strong bowling line-up and can throw challenge for India’s big hitters.
India will rely on Smriti Mandhana, ICC ICC Women’s Player of 2021; Shafali Verma, the top-ranked batter in the format; and Harmanpreet Kaur, Player of the recently concluded WBBL. They will be followed by Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh, and the all-rounders, Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana.
Pooja Vastrakar and the yet-uncapped Meghna Singh are likely to lead the pace attack, while India have a host of spinners in Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bisht and Rajeshwari Gayakwad to pick from.
Likely XIs
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Sophie Devine (c), Maddy Green, Katey Martin, Brooke Halliday, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Hayley Jansen, Lea Tahuhu.
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Sneh Rana, Meghna Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
Fantasy Tips
- Both teams are top-heavy. Bates, Devine, Mandhana and Verma should give better value for money.
- Key all-rounders like Amelia Kerr, Sharma and Rana should be popular picks.
- The New Zealand bowlers are more experienced. Pick Tahuhu, Jess Kerr and Rowe.
Fantasy XI
Katey Martin, Smriti Mandhana, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Shafali Verma; Amelia Kerr, Deepti Sharma (vc), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
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