India’s T20 World Cup campaign begins tomorrow as the Women in Blue face New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium. A strong start is crucial for India and success will depend on the team performing as a cohesive unit. After attending specialised skill and fielding camps in preparation for this tournament, it’s time for them to step up when it counts the most.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur must lead from the front to set the tone for India’s campaign. Expectations are high for openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana to go hard at the top and provide strong starts, a strategy teams have relied on in recent tournaments. Jemimah Rodrigues plays a vital role in holding the batting line-up together, and it will be interesting to see where the management slots her. The No. 3 spot has been a topic of much discussion, and with Kaur likely to occupy that crucial position, she will bear the added responsibility of maximising its potential.
India will rely heavily on their spin attack, with the UAE conditions expected to favour the spinners. Shreyanka Patil, Asha Shobhana, Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav are available, but the team’s choice of spinners for the New Zealand clash will be worth noting. Meanwhile, pacers Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar will need to make the most of the hot conditions and extract whatever help they can from the pitch. However, India’s success against New Zealand will likely hinge on their spinners’ ability to turn the game in their favour.
Though this Indian team possesses all the skill it takes, their success in the first game and throughout the tournament will depend on how they handle tight situations. New Zealand, on the other hand, will look to come out strong, with captain Sophie Devine leading the way. Her experience will be vital in guiding her team against India.
Unlike India, New Zealand are a top fielding side, and while they may not fully match India’s overall skill-set, they will certainly compensate with their fielding. Amelia Kerr holds the X-factor for New Zealand, and the UAE conditions will likely suit her game. Her all-round ability will be crucial against India, but in the end, it will come down to execution on matchday.
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Teams: (From)
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia , Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
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