Snehasis Mukherjee
The India Women’s cricket team is set to begin a three-match home ODI series against New Zealand Women, starting tomorrow in Ahmedabad. After a disappointing group stage exit in the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, Harmanpreet Kaur and her team will aim to perform well in front of the home crowd. As hosts of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, India are already qualified for the tournament.
On the other hand the White Ferns are still fighting for a spot. They are currently sixth in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 cycle, with 18 points from 18 games (8 wins, 8 losses, 2 no results). After winning the recent T20 World Cup, they will be full of confidence and will want to carry that momentum into the 50-over format. Sophie Devine may have stepped down as T20 captain; but she will lead the team in ODIs.
Head-to-Head
Overall – 54 matches, India – 20, New Zealand – 33, Tied – 1
In India, 20 matches, India – 10, New Zealand – 9, Tied – 1
In the last six ODIs played between these sides, India have won only once while losing the remaining five.
India
After a poor T20 World Cup campaign, fans have started questioning Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy, as some of her decisions during the tournament raised concerns. This series will be a big test for her as captain, especially with these matches being crucial for the team’s preparation ahead of next year’s mega event. Alongside Harman, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues will also be key for the batting lineup, though Mandhana struggled in the T20 World Cup.
Spinners like Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav will play important roles. Pooja Vastrakar has been rested due to injury concerns from the recent World Cup. Richa Ghosh missed out because of her 12th standard board exams, and Asha Sobhana is recovering from an injury. Many fans were disappointed to see Sneh Rana not included. Even during the World Cup, when she wasn’t in the full squad, fans were calling for her inclusion. The player herself tweeted, “The wait is still on,” with a heartbreak emoji.
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Not many changes were made to the core team despite the team’s T20 World Cup performance. It seems, the board and team management are showing faith in these players for the 50-over format. Only time will tell how Harmanpreet will handle the pressure of leading the team in this series.
Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, D Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Sayali Satgare, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil.
New Zealand
The current T20 World Cup champions will now aim to continue their dominance over India, as they have done in their last six meetings. In a recent media interaction, coach Ben Sawyer said, “Touring India is one of the great experiences in world cricket. Alongside trying to win the series, the tour will serve as important preparation for next year’s ODI World Cup.” He added, “It’s been an amazing 24 hours for this group becoming T20 World Cup champions. We are relishing the win, but when we get to India, we will need to refocus and set our sights on the next challenge.”
Along with veterans like Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu, young players such as Eden Carson and Brooke Halliday will be key after their successful T20 World Cup contributions. Wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis has earned her maiden call-up after impressive performances for Otago Sparks in the women’s Super Smash and New Zealand A. Amelia Kerr, the Player of the Tournament, highest wicket-taker, and Player of the Match in the final will be the biggest threat.
In a recent episode of “ICC 100% Cricket Superstars,” Kerr named India as her favourite opponent over Australia in World Cups. She said, “I think playing at World Cups, facing India is something I think that’s always a great challenge because wherever you are in the world, they get a crowd that is supporting them. And spin is key for them.” She added, “The ability to play spin well, especially in sub-continent conditions, is a great challenge, and they’ve got some world-class players. So, for me, that’s a key match-up, and playing them is always a challenge.”
In her last five ODI innings, Kerr has scored the most runs against India—370 in five innings, with an average of 123.33 and a strike rate of 95.60. She has also taken the most wickets, 9 in five innings, at an economy of 5.97. Her all-round performance will again pose a huge threat to Harmanpreet’s team in Ahmedabad.
Squad: Sophie Devine (C), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis (WK), Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
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