India will play South Africa in their last group stage match of the Women’s World Cup on March 27, at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Unless Bangladesh beat England earlier in the day, this is a must-win match for India to qualify for the semi-finals, though sharing points will South Africa will also help.
South Africa had started with four consecutive wins before eventually losing to Australia. Their last match, against West Indies, was washed out. They are set to finish second on the points table, and will thus play a different semi-final from table toppers Australia.
India beat South Africa by two runs in a pre-World Cup warm-up game. Harmanpreet Kaur and Rajeshwari Gayakwad starred for India that day. Both have had a good World Cup, Kaur having the best batting average (54) and Gayakwad the best economy rate (3.49) among Indians. Apart from them, Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar have been revelations, with 10 wickets each along with 100 and 153 runs respectively.
Smriti Mandhana will lead the batting, and expect support from Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia. Captain Mithali Raj has scored just 114 runs in six matches but her experience can be a key guiding force for India in this all-important match.
South Africa have missed Dane van Niekerk, but Sune Luus has stepped up brilliantly in their absence. She is their second-highest run-scorer, behind the exceptional Laura Wolvaardt, who in turn is just five runs behind Meg Lanning in the runs chart of the tournament. She already has four fifties with a highest score of 90.
Marizanne Kapp, too, has starred with South Africa with 150 runs and 10 wickets. Her five wickets against England and unbeaten 34 during a tense chase against New Zealand played a big role in South Africa’s current position in the table. Ayabonga Khaka also has 10 wickets.
Likely XIs
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Taznin Brits, Sune Luus (c), Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Trisha Chetty (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Tumi Sekhukhune.
Fantasy Tips
- Lee might not be at her best, but had a brilliant tour of India last year. She can be dangerous like other top-order batters like Wolvaardt, Mandhana, and Verma.
- All-rounders always fetch points. Kapp and Rana should be the most popular picks.
- In bowling, it will be a battle between India’s spinners and South African pacers. But even Vastrakar and Goswami from India can also be successful along with Ismail and Khaka.
Fantasy XI
Richa Ghosh; Smriti Mandhana, Laura Wolvaardt (c), Lizelle Lee, Harmanpreet Kaur; Marizane Kaap (vc), Sneh Rana, Sune Luus; Pooja Vastrakar, Ayabonga Khaka, Rajeshwari Gayakwad,