New Zealand holds the advantage when it comes to head-to-head encounters with India, winning nine out of the 13 T20Is played between the two sides. However, India will look to close that gap as the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup gets underway.
The tournament is off to a thrilling start, and all eyes are on the upcoming showdown between India Women (IND-W) and New Zealand Women (NZ-W). Scheduled for Friday, October 4, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, this match marks the opening fixture for both teams in the competition. With each side keen to make a strong statement from the get-go, expect a fiery contest filled with standout moments, high-pressure situations, and top-tier cricket action.
India’s Road to Redemption
India, led by the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur, comes into this World Cup with a clear mission—right the wrongs of previous tournaments. In 2020, they made it all the way to the final, only to be defeated by a dominant Australian side. That loss still lingers, but India has since bounced back, growing stronger and more determined to succeed this time around.
India’s squad is a nice mix of youthful exuberance and experienced campaigners. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma will be crucial at the top, tasked with setting the tone for India’s innings. The middle order, anchored by skipper Harmanpreet and the consistent Jemimah Rodrigues, adds reliability, while wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh and all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar are expected to contribute valuable runs in the later stages. Given Dubai’s slow, spin-friendly pitches, India’s spin trio of Deepti Sharma, Asha Sobhana, and Radha Yadav will play a pivotal role in stifling New Zealand’s batting lineup.
New Zealand’s Turnaround Mission
New Zealand, under the leadership of Sophie Devine, has faced its share of struggles in recent T20 World Cups, missing out on the knockout stages in the last few editions. But 2024 brings a new opportunity, and they’re hungry to make things right. Suzie Bates, a cornerstone of the New Zealand lineup, will be a key player at the top, alongside Amelia Kerr, who’s been in fine form with both bat and ball.
Dubai’s conditions could pose a challenge for New Zealand’s pace bowlers, led by Lea Tahuhu, but they’ll look to spin to make an impact. Amelia Kerr, who’s been their standout bowler this year, will be crucial in keeping India’s powerful batting unit in check. With a squad brimming with experience, New Zealand will be desperate to kick off their campaign with a victory and put their recent T20 woes behind them.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
New Zealand’s historical dominance over India in this format gives them an edge, having won nine of the 13 encounters. However, India’s victory in their most recent meeting will boost their confidence heading into this clash. In the warm-up matches leading up to the tournament, both sides experienced mixed results—India scored wins against the West Indies and South Africa, while New Zealand overcame South Africa but fell short against England.
Players to Watch
For India, all eyes will be on Smriti Mandhana, whose ability to take charge in the powerplay can set the tone for the match. Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and stability in the middle order will also be key as she looks to guide her team through the tournament.
New Zealand’s hopes will largely rest on Sophie Devine, one of the most dynamic all-rounders in world cricket. If Devine can contribute significantly with both bat and ball, New Zealand stands a strong chance of overcoming India. Suzie Bates, with her wealth of experience, is another player who could prove decisive for the White Ferns.
Pitch and Conditions
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has historically favored spinners, and with an average first-innings score of just 90 in T20Is, we could be in for a low-scoring affair. Teams winning the toss are likely to bowl first, taking advantage of the conditions to assess the pitch before chasing a target.
Dream11 Fantasy Picks
- Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur
- Vice-Captain: Smriti Mandhana
- Wicketkeepers: Richa Ghosh, Amelia Kerr
- Batters: Sophie Devine, Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana
- All-rounders: Deepti Sharma, Suzie Bates
- Bowlers: Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu
Predicted Lineups
India Women (IND-W) Probable XI:
Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh, Shreyanka Patil
New Zealand Women (NZ-W) Probable XI:
Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Amelia Kerr, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Jess Kerr, Fran Jonas, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Eden Carson, Lea Tahuhu
Both teams will be eager to start their World Cup journey with a win, and with the talent on display, this clash is sure to deliver some memorable moments.
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