India preps for the forthcoming Twenty20 (T20) World Cup taking on the 2016 champions, West Indies, in their first of two warm-up games. The game will be played at the ICC Academy Ground 2, Dubai, on the 29th of September 2024, at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
India – Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan
West Indies – Hayley Matthews (C), Shemaine Campbelle (VC, WK), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton
Players to watch out:
Shafali Verma
The 20-year-old opening batter has amassed 1,948 runs from 80 T20I innings, at an average of 25.63 and a strike rate of 130.56, with the highest score of 81, while also taking 10 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 5.96. In India’s most recent campaign, the Asia Cup, Shafali registered scores of 40, 37, 81, 26*, and 16, and she can be counted on to extend this form.
Shreyanka Patil
The 22-year-old off-spinner has picked up 16 wickets from 12 T20I innings, at an economy rate of 7.14, and registered the best of 3/19. Shreyanka’s Asia Cup campaign was cut short due to an injury; however, in the tournament opener, she produced figures of 2/14. She is a highly promising talent and can be relied upon for the goods with both bat and ball.
Deandra Dottin
The 33-year-old all-rounder has racked up 2,697 runs from 125 T20I outings and claimed 62 wickets from 67 innings. Since reversing her international retirement, this will be Deandra’s first campaign in Windies colors, and it has come on the back of a successful stint in a domestic T20 competition. She can be trusted for all-round efforts.
Qiana Joseph
The 23-year-old all-rounder has taken 4 wickets from 8 T20I outings, at an economy rate of 5.53, and added 69 runs from 6 innings, registering respective bests of 34 and 2/26. In a recent domestic T20 competition, Qiana registered starts of 24, 16, 19, 11, and 14, while also claiming 6 wickets. She can be relied upon for improved all-round efforts.
Pitch:
The ICC Academy Ground 2 provides a good deck to bat on, and it is expected to be no different for this game, with an average score in the 140s. The wicket will also offer enough assistance for bowlers, especially spinners, who can change the course of the game.
Weather:
With moderate winds, humidity at 53%, and the temperature expected to be around 34°C, the conditions are favorable, with no rain on the radar. The overhead will be clear, promising a complete game of cricket.
Fantasy playing XI:
Richa Ghosh, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Qiana Joseph, Hayley Matthews, Deepti Sharma, Deandra Dottin, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil
Match details:
Date – September 29, 2024
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – ICC Academy Ground 2, Dubai
Broadcast – The game will be telecasted on Doordarshan Sports, and live scores can be accessed on the ICC match portal.