Team India will aim for their third consecutive win in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as they are set to face South Africa in Manchester. It has been a closely-contested rivalry between these two teams in this format, but they are set to meet for the first time in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
India have been dealt a setback with Shreyanka Patil ruled out due to an ankle injury. Young spinner Prema Rawat has joined the squad as her replacement. Now, the big question for the Indian team management is who replaces Shreyanka in the playing XI – Radha Yadav or Prema Rawat.
Meanwhile, in Bristol, Sri Lanka will take on the West Indies. Just like India, the Windies also have an opportunity to register their third consecutive victory of the tournament. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, stunned defending champions New Zealand in their previous outing. Whether they can continue that momentum remains to be seen.
Head-to-head
India vs South Africa
Total matches played: 24
India won: 11
South Africa won: 10
No Result: 3
Sri Lanka vs West Indies
Total matches played: 29
West Indies won: 20
Sri Lanka won: 7
No Result: 2
Current standings
Group A
India – 2nd, 4 points from 2 matches (2 wins), NRR +3.975
South Africa – 4th, 2 points from 2 matches (1 win, 1 loss), NRR -1.097
Group B
West Indies – 2nd, 4 points from 2 matches (2 wins), NRR +0.233
Sri Lanka – 5th, 2 points from 2 matches (1 win, 1 loss), NRR -2.040
Players to watch out for
India vs South Africa
For India, N Sree Charani could be the player to look out for. The young spinner has been consistent and impressive with her variations in pace. In just two matches, she has already claimed seven wickets — three against Pakistan and four against the Netherlands.
With Shreyanka Patil ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to the ankle injury that she sustained against the Netherlands, Charani will be expected to shoulder even more responsibility. The Old Trafford surface has also assisted the spinners in both matches played at the venue so far in the tournament.
For South Africa, skipper Laura Wolvaardt will be crucial. She began the tournament with a gritty 44-run knock against Australia before registering a low score against Pakistan.
However, in the recent five-match home series against India, she was in outstanding form. Wolvaardt accumulated 330 runs in five innings at an average of 82.50 and a strike rate of 168.36, including three half-centuries and a century.
Sri Lanka vs West Indies
For Sri Lanka to challenge the in-form West Indies side, skipper Chamari Athapaththu will need to lead from the front with both bat and ball. In the tournament opener against England, she failed to make an impact.
However, in the victory over defending champions New Zealand, she picked up a wicket and provided a brisk start during the chase with 27 runs from 19 balls.
For West Indies, Aaliyah Alleyne could once again prove to be the game-changer. She already has seven wickets from two matches in the tournament. Alleyne picked up four wickets against New Zealand in the opening game before following it up with a three-wicket haul against Scotland.
The experienced right-arm medium pacer has been one of the standout performers for the Windies and could be a key weapon for captain Hayley Matthews.
Pitch and Weather
Two matches and two different venues await. Sri Lanka and West Indies will first meet in Bristol before India and South Africa lock horns in Manchester in their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup meeting.
The Bristol surface is expected to assist batters, while seamers should still find some movement with the new ball. At Old Trafford, the pitch has appeared slightly slow so far. However, South Africa all-rounder Chloe Tryon stated during the pre-match press conference that the surface for this game could be a bit flatter and different from the previous games.
As for the weather, according to AccuWeather, there is no rain threat in Bristol, with cloudy conditions expected throughout the day and around 45 percent cloud cover.
Manchester is also expected to remain dry, with no rain forecast during match hours. Fans can therefore look forward to two uninterrupted contests.
Probable Playing XIs
India
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Prema Rawat, Deepti Sharma, Nandini Sharma, Kranti Gaud, N Sree Charani
South Africa
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
West Indies
Qiana Joseph, Hayley Matthews (c), Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Jahzara Claxton, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack
Sri Lanka
Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Kawya Kavindi, Mithali Ayodhya, Nimasha Meepage
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