Indian women team | Image: bcci women
High on confidence after registering one of their biggest wins in terms of runs, the Indian women’s cricket team will look to avoid complacency and clinch the series in the second ODI against West Indies here on Tuesday.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team performed well in all departments in the first ODI and registered a stunning 211-run win. All the matches of the Indian team in the coming months will be important because the ICC World Cup is to be organized in the country next year.
India are yet to win the Women’s World Cup and the team will be desperate to end the International Cricket Council (ICC) title drought at home. The host team knows that if it has to enter the ICC World Cup as a strong contender along with Australia and England, then it will need strong preparation.
The Indian team did not have a good start to the new season and had to face a 0-3 clean sweep in Australia. However, the team bounced back against West Indies, a team much weaker than Australia, winning the T20 International series 2–1 and then started the ODI series with a win as well.
The Indian team won its first series in five years on home soil in the shortest format by defeating West Indies. The Indian team had failed to make it to the semi-finals of the last T20 World Cup and in view of this, the team will have to make strong preparations this time. After a poor performance in the UAE, the team is experimenting with different combinations and has given debut to seven players including Titas Sadhu, Priya Mishra and Pratika Rawal.
Playing her first international match, Delhi’s Pratika made a mark in the first ODI by scoring 40 runs in 69 balls and forming a century partnership for the first wicket with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. The only concern for India ahead of the series opener was the fitness of Harmanpreet, who missed the last two T20Is due to a knee injury. The captain, however, put all concerns to rest by running at good pace between the wickets apart from playing some attractive shots.
Mandhana, who led the Indian team in the absence of Harmanpreet, laid the foundation of India’s big score by scoring 91 runs in 102 balls in the first ODI after scoring three consecutive half-centuries in the T20 International. This left-handed batsman would like to maintain this rhythm.
Renuka Singh, who was the best player of the first ODI by taking five wickets, will be high on confidence and will once again aim to destroy the West Indies top order with the new ball. As far as West Indies are concerned, the visiting team will have to raise the level of their game and experienced players like Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, Shamyn Campbell and Effie Fletcher will have to perform better.
The teams are as follows
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chhetri, Tejal Hasbanis, Deepti Sharma, Meenu Mani, Priya Mishra, Tanuja Kanwar, Titas Sadhu, Saima Thakur and Renuka Singh Thakur. .
West Indies: Hayley Matthews (captain), Shamyn Campbell, Aaliyah Allen, Shamilia Connell, Nerissa Crafton, Deandra Dottin, Effie Fletcher, Shabika Ghazanbi, Chinelle Henry, Jayda James, Kiana Joseph, Mandy Mangroo, Ashmini Muniser, Karishma Ramhark and Rashada Williams.
Time: The match will start at 1.30 pm
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