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HomeCricBlogWomen's World T20 Match 1: India vs New Zealand Preview

Women’s World T20 Match 1: India vs New Zealand Preview

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Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

The sixth edition of the Women’s World T20 kicks off tonight in the Caribbean, and it promises to be one hell of a tournament.

With exposure and viewership at an all-time high for Women’s Cricket, there are positives to take from world cricket, which is in a state of boards prioritising cash over fan engagement. For the first time ever, the Women’s World T20 will be a standalone tournament, showcasing the growth of the game, highlighted by a huge demand of fans to get more of a glimpse of their heroes.

The first match of the tournament lives up to its billing on paper. In a very tough Group B also containing Australia and Pakistan, will it be India or New Zealand to get crucial points?

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A young India side gears itself up for a shot at a maiden World T20 Title. T20I cricket hasn’t been the best of friends for the India side, compared to 50-over cricket, where they were finalists in last year’s World Cup. A heartbreaking loss to England in the 50 over format last year was then followed by a heartbreaking loss to Bangladesh in the T20 Asia Cup Final earlier this year, so India will be hoping to go one better this time around. Can they hold their nerve in a huge opening game?

New Zealand are ranked second in this format, and are led by the fantastic Amy Satterthwaite. Smarting off a disappointing 3-0 loss in Australia recently, New Zealand, like India, will be desperate to get a good start in what is a very competitive group. Boasting some of the finest cricketers in world cricket, New Zealand will certainly be a tough proposition for India in the opening game. Can New Zealand start the tournament off with a bang?

Key to an India win

New Zealand are led by a fantastic captain, and so too India, with Harmanpreet Kaur looking to lead her side to a successful tournament. Her role extends beyond motivating her teammates, as her ability to give India a solid start with the bat is crucial to the Indian cause. With 1,703 runs in T20I cricket, and coming off a superb 62* off 32 balls in the warm up game against England, India fans will be hoping the skipper provides a solid start.
However, who will provide her with adequate support? Seven out of India’s 15-woman squad have played less than 15 T20Is, and against a strong New Zealand side, a team effort is crucial. Opener Smriti Mandhana will also be called on to provide a good start, and so too the exciting 18-year old Jemimah Rodrigues, who has had a superb start to her T20I career. Of course, the experienced and fantastic Mithali Raj will also be needed to hold the innings together, given the youth in the squad.
Also, as is the case with the bat, skipper H Kaur will be vital to the cause with the ball. Against a New Zealand side with proven quality, who will support Kaur on the bowling front for India? Poonam Yadav continues to impressive with her leg break googlies, boasting a fantastic T20I record of 61 wickets in 43 games at 13.34, with an economy rate of 5.46, and Deepti Sharma also holds a huge key. If the conditions suit either pace or spin, India need to believe they have the resources in their line up to trouble New Zealand.

Key to a New Zealand win

New Zealand possess two of the best in the game. Suzie Bates, ranked number one bat in the format, has been in excellent touch since giving up the captaincy to focus on her batting. She will be key in blunting the Indian attack in the powerplay, with support from the likes of brilliant all-rounder Sophie Devine. However, who else will stand up for the White Ferns? Amelia Kerr and skipper Amy Satterthwaite will also be key in enabling New Zealand to fire in a crucial tournament opener.

With the ball, New Zealand will be looking to get into India’s top order as soon as possible. India’s experienced players are vital their quest for victory, so if New Zealand can pile the pressure on India’s youngsters, it can hold them in fine stead. Lea Tahuhu and Leigh Kasperek are two talents that can threaten most opponents, and New Zealand will be hoping for them to deliver the goods.

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Squads

India squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Taniya Bhatia (wk), Ekta Bisht, Dayalan Hemalatha, Mansi Joshi, Veda Krishnamurthy, Smriti Mandhana, Anuja Patil, Mithali Raj, Arundathi Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav.

New Zealand squad:  Amy Satterthwaite (c), Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout (wk), Sophie Devine, Kate Ebrahim, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Anna Peterson, Harriet Rowe, Lea Tahuhu, Jess Watkin

Stats and Facts

  • India are coming off a 4-0 series win at home v Sri Lanka.
  • New Zealand’s last T20I assignment was a 3-0 loss in Australia.
  • India have crashed out at the Group Stage in each World T20 edition since 2010. New Zealand made the semi finals of the last edition, losing to eventual champions West Indies.

Prediction

This promises to be a great clash to kick off the Women’s World T20. 
New Zealand have the greater experience on paper, and are solid performers in this format. I will back them to get a victory.
Thanks for reading!
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Charbel Coorey
Charbel Cooreyhttps://cricblog.net
Charbel is the owner & founder of cricblog.net, based in Sydney, Australia. He started the website to fulfill his love for the game of cricket. Charbel has been featured on other publications including OP India, Times of India, and The Roar, among others. He is also a keen fantasy sports player. Charbel has also had the privilege of interviewing cricketers on the CricBlog TV YouTube channel, including James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Andrew Tye, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Saurabh Netravalkar: https://www.youtube.com/@cricblogtv For any story tips or questions, you can contact Charbel at charbelcoorey@cricblog.net.

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