ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, Match 9 & 10, Group A, Preview – Favourites India and Australia aim to continue their winning momentum

The enthralling journey of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 continues as India Women and New Zealand Women lock horns in the ninth match of the tournament.

One of the favourites to clinch the trophy– India– have flagged off their World Cup campaign on a high after decimating Australia and Bangladesh in their first two matches. In their first match of the tournament, the Women in Blue toppled the defending champions to flaunt their calibre. India Women followed it with a thumping win against Bangladesh and Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. seem to be in prime position to get their hands on the coveted trophy in this year’s edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Considering the recent form of India Women’s batting as well as bowling force, it will be an uphill task for the Kiwi Women to stop the Women in Blue from registering their third consecutive triumph. However, New Zealand Women would be optimistic about their chances after thumping Sri Lanka by seven wickets in their first game of the tournament.

Sophie Devine’s brilliant 75-run knock propelled them to the target of 128 runs while Hayley Jensen and Amelia Kerr did their job diligently to curb Sri Lanka’s run-flow by scalping wickets at regular intervals. Sophie Devine and Co. will be eager to carry on their winning momentum and register their second victory of the tournament.

Team Combination

India Women

The impressive form of their batswoman and a formidable bowling attack will be the biggest positives for Harmanpreet and Co. Despite Smriti Mandhana’s absence from the last game, Shafali Verma stepped up and played a quick-fire knock to steer India Women to a flying start. She was well assisted by Jemimah Rodrigues and Veda Krishnamurthy. Poonam Yadav and Shikha Pandey have also been in red-hot form with the ball.

Both the bowlers scalped three and two wickets respectively to decimate Banglades Women’s batting force. Rajeshwari Gayakwad also has the potential to turn the match in her side’s favour by her excellent display of bowling. After Smriti Mandhana missed the previous match against Bangladesh, skipper Harmanpreet stated that the opener will probably be available for the New Zealand clash.

Predicted XI: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey, Taniya Bhatia, Arundhati Reddy, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

New Zealand Women

New Zealand Women’s biggest positive will be their batting force comprising the likes of Sophie Devine, Rachel Priest and Suzie Bates. The Kiwis also have a formidable bowling lineup which includes Amelia Kerr, Anna Peterson and Lea Tahuhu.

Skipper Devine’s form will be crucial considering the Kiwi team is going to line up against a robust and in-form India Women’s bowling attack. In the past three encounters, the Kiwi Women have been triumphant thrice against India Women– something that will help Sophie Devine and Co. to enter the field with a positive mindset.

Predicted XI: Sophie Devine (C), Rachel Priest (WK), Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Katey Martin, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Jansen, Holly Huddleston, Lea Tahuhu, Leigh Kasperek, Jess Kerr.

Focus will be on

Shafali Verma (India Women)

Teenage prodigy Shafali Verma has the potential to provide her side with a flying start. The absence of Smriti Mandhana did not hamper the Women in Blue in their previous match as Verma provided them with a blistering start. She smoked an explosive 39-run knock and laid the foundation for India Women’s triumph. In a career spanning over 16 T20 Internationals, the 16-year-old has amassed 392 runs at a staggering strike rate of almost 150. She also has smashed two half-centuries in her career.

Sophie Devine (New Zealand Women)

Batting all-rounder and Kiwi Women’s skipper Sophie Devine is the player who holds the potential to change the course of the match single-handedly. Scoring runs at a blistering strike-rate along with scalping wickets at regular intervals– Devine’s match-winning abilities will undoubtedly play a crucial role in New Zealand’s success in this edition of Women’s World Cup. The skipper also steered her side to the victory in the previous match against Sri Lanka Women. Considering her vast experience and red-hot form, she is touted to challenge the India Women’s bowling force.

Head to Head

India Women vs New Zealand Women:

Played – 11 | Won by India Women – 3 | Won by New Zealand Women – 8 | Tied – 0 | No result – 0

Stat Attack

2 – 16-year-old Shafali Verma has amassed two half-centuries in the 16 T20 Internationals that she has played so far.

2,1 – New Zealand Women skipper Sophie Devine has smashed two half-centuries and a ton in her last five matches.

Broadcast details

TV – Star Sports

Live streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings: 03:00 pm (local), 09:30 am (IST)

The second encounter of the day will be played between Australia Women and Bangladesh Women. Australia Women are currently placed third in the Group A table with a win and a loss in their first two matches. In their previous match against Sri Lanka Women, Lanning and Co. cruised to a comfortable five-wicket victory by hunting down a target of 123 runs.

Lanning (41) and Haynes (60) were the top performers for the Aussie Women as they steered their side to the victory against the Islanders. Nicola Carey, who scalped two wickets while conceding 18 runs in her spell, was the pick of Australia bowlers.

Bangladesh Women, on the other hand, will be aiming to register their first victory of the tournament after suffering a thumping defeat against India in their opening match. After India Women put up a challenging total of 142 runs on the board, Bangladesh Women failed to hunt down the target as they succumbed and posted only 124 runs on the scoreboard. Murshida Khatun (30) and Nigar Sultana (35) were the picks of the Bangladesh Women’s batting force. However, a hapless bowling attack left them reeling against India Women’s batting lineup.

Team Combination

Australia Women

Australia Women are equipped with many batting stalwarts who are competent in changing the course of the match single-handedly. Along with Lanning and Haynes, Mooney has also delivered impressive batting performances for the Aussies. Another batswoman, who can deliver despite having a poor outing in the Tri-Nation series is Alyssa Healy. Despite not being in great form, Ellyse Perry can also emerge as a vital cog for Meg Lanning and Co. The bowling force of Australia Women will be steered by the likes of Jess Jonassen and Megan Schutt.

Predicted XI: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes, Ashleigh Gardener, Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Annabel Sutherland, Delissa Kimmince, Molly Strano/Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt

Bangladesh Women

The Tigresses’ lineup is an experienced one. Murshida Khatun, who has a plethora of experience under her belt, is expected to emerge as their talisman. She also played a vital 30-run knock along with Nigar Sultana (35) against the Women in Blue. Another name which stands apart is of skipper Salma Khatun.

The skipper has the potential to deliver in both the departments. She scalped two wickets against India Women while conceding only 25 runs in her spell. She was also assisted by Panna Ghosh who also plucked two wickets.

Predicted XI: Shamima Sultana (wk), Murshida Khatun, Sanjida Islam, Nigar Sultana, Fargana Hoque, Rumana Ahmed, Panna Ghosh, Salma Khatun (C), Jahanara Alam, Khadija Tul Kubra, Nahida Akter

Focus will be on

Meg Lanning (Australia Women)

Australia will be relying on their skipper Meg Lanning to continue her run-churning spree. Lanning has two 40+ scores in her past five matches for the Aussie Women. With the experience of playing 100 T20Is, she is expected to play a pivotal role in Australia’s pursuit of defending their World title. The 27-year-old has amassed 2702 runs in her T20I career including two tons and 13 half-centuries.

Rumana Ahmed (Bangladesh Women)

Bangladesh Women will be banking on the experience of Rumana Ahmed. The 28-year-old has played as many as 61 T20Is for Bangladesh and has delivered in both the departments. Along with gathering 718 runs, the right-hander has also scalped 55 wickets for her side.

Head to Head

Australia Women vs Bangladesh Women:

Played – 0 | Won by India Women – 0 | Won by New Zealand Women – 0 | Tied – 0 | No result – 0

Stat Attack

2- Australia skipper Meg Lanning has two centuries under her belt in a career spanning over 100 T20Is.

3- Murshida Khatun has ticked three 30+ scores in her past three outings for Bangladesh Women.

Broadcast details

TV – Star Sports

Live streaming – Hotstar

Match Timings: 07:00 pm (local), 1:30 am (IST)