The 2022 Women’s World Cup reaches its second week, and the weekend will start with West Indies versus India. West Indies have been the surprise of the tournament, having stunned both New Zealand and England, two of title favourites. With these wins, they have almost guaranteed a place in the top four. India, on the other hand, started with an easy win against Pakistan but lost to New Zealand, and are currently placed in the fifth place on the points table.
West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor will be happy about the fact that several members of the team have contributed in the wins. Hayley Matthews proved herself as the key all-rounder]. Deandra Dottin showed the spark with a crucial last over against New Zealand and a brilliant one-handed catch against England. Taylor herself scored a duck in the last match, but Shemaine Campbelle and Chedean Nation prevented any lower-order collapse. The experienced Anisa Mohammed and Shamilia Connell have led the bowling, with support from the all-rounders.
India will not be happy with their batting despite the fifties from Smriti Mandhana, Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana and Harmanpreet Kaur. Mithali Raj’s lack of ability to rotate the strike has been an issue, as it slowed them down in both matches. India have also missed the usual blistering starts from Shafali Verma, who failed in the first match and was dropped in the second. However, she should make a comeback as India require an enforcer at the top.
The bowling has been much better, with Vastrakar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Jhulan Goswami emerging as stars. They will be able to perform even better if they can get some more support from the fielders in this key match.
Likely XIs
West Indies: Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Kycia Knight, Stafanie Taylor (c), Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Anisa Mohammed, Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell.
India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
Fantasy tips
- Both teams have in-form all-rounders. Matthews, Dottin, Vastrakar and Sharma and should be popular fantasy picks.
- Mandhana hit a hundred against West Indies in the 2017 World Cup and can do an encore. She and Kaur can be key.
- Both the teams have good spinners. Anisa and Gayakwad and should be part of fantasy XIs.
Fantasy XI
Shemaine Campbelle; Smriti Mandhana, Stafanie Taylor, Harmanpreet Kaur; Hayley Matthews (c), Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma (vc); Pooja Vastrakar, Anisa Mohammed, Jhulan Goswami, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.