Kaur’s India look to start fresh again
After a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign by Harmanpreet Kaur’s girls, the Indian team get ready to host the reigning T20 World Champions, New Zealand in a three-match ODI series.
Before the first game gets underway in Ahmedabad, here’s our match preview and predictions.
India vs New Zealand 1st ODI | New Zealand Women tour of India 2024 | 13:30 IST, October 24
India takes on New Zealand in an ODI encounter for the first time in almost three-years, when India had toured New Zealand back in early 2022 and the Indian squad have not played a lot of ODI games this year either. One game against Australia in January and a three match series against South Africa in June are the only ODI games Kaur’s team has under their belt in 2024.
With the New Zealand series kicking off in Ahmedabad, the Indian batters, especially the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues will be looking to get themselves amongst the runs. India will be missing the regular wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh, who is giving her Class 12 exams, which means this will also be a great opportunity for Yastika Bhatia, to show the selectors and team management that she is a main contender for the keeping spot as well. In the bowling department, Renuka Singh and Arundhati Reddy lead the fast-bowling option while Deepti Sharma will be key not only with the bat but also with her off breaks.
For the Kiwis, it will be Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine who will be key with the bat and with the visitors having a host of all-rounders, the likes of Kerr, Devine, Brooke Halliday will also be needed with the ball. Kerr and Eden Carson’s spin will be crucial for the Kiwi squad as New Zealand will be up against it in difficult conditions in the sub-continent.
At the Ahmedabad pitch, expect a flat track, with a run-fest in the making while the spinners should come into play later on. While New Zealand might be coming off the back of a T20 World Cup win, it will be a hurting India who are the favourites as they will look to bounce back strongly.
Fantasy XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Suzie Bates, Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Devine, Georgia Plimmer, Renuka Singh, Arundhati Reddy, Lea Tahuhu
Venue: Ahmedabad
Winners Prediction: India
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