Sri Lanka have yet to secure a win in their two matches of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup so far, while India bounced back from their season-opening defeat with a win in their recent outing. The two teams will lock horns on the 9th of October 2024, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). Fantasy XI fans confused about player selections? We’ve sorted the best options based on statistics and form—let us help you!
Fantasy Playing XI:
Richa Ghosh, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harshitha Madhavi, Chamari Athapaththu, Deepti Sharma, Kavisha Dilhari, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sugandika Kumari, Sobhana Asha, Arundhati Reddy
Keeper-batter:
Richa Ghosh
The 21-year-old middle-order batter, from 46 T20I outings, has accumulated 872 runs at an average of 27.25, with a strike rate of 137.97, and registered the highest score of 64*. Richa didn’t score many runs leading up to the World Cup; however, in the warm-up games, she managed scores of 7 and 36. In her World Cup outings so far, she has departed for 12 and 0 but should be backed to find her footing with handy cameos, making her a potentially valuable addition to the Fantasy XI.
Batters:
Smriti Mandhana
The 28-year-old opening batter, from 137 T20I innings, has amassed 3512 runs at an average of 28.55, with a strike rate of 121.94, and has recorded 26 fifties, registering the highest score of 87. This year in T20Is, she has accumulated 514 runs from 16 innings. However, in this World Cup campaign, she managed scores of 14 and 21 in the warm-up games, and 12 and 7 in the league games. Hopefully, she can build on these starts and convert them into substantial scores, making her a must-pick.
Jemimah Rodrigues
The 24-year-old top-order batter, from 89 T20I outings, has posted 2110 runs at an average of 30.14, with a strike rate of 113.80. She has notched up 11 fifties, with the highest score of 76. This year, striking at a career-best rate of 130.76, Jemimah has scored 187 runs from 10 outings at an average of 31.16. In the warm-up games, she registered scores of 52 and 30. Although she departed for 13 and 23 in the league games, she has shown promise and could convert these starts into important knocks, pushing her case for selection.
Harshitha Madhavi
The 26-year-old top-order batter, from 63 T20I outings, has tallied 1493 runs at an average of 30.46 and a strike rate of 98.74. She has notched up 8 fifties, including 3 in a row not too long ago, scoring 69*, a career-best 86*, and 65. Harshitha has accumulated 564 runs this year from 18 innings at an average of 37.60. In the ongoing World Cup campaign, she has registered scores of 29, 9, 7, and 23, including the warm-up games. A big knock seems due from her, and she’ll look to deliver soon.
All-rounders:
Chamari Athapaththu
The 34-year-old all-rounder, from 139 T20I outings, has amassed 3335 runs at a strike rate of 110.43, while from 83 bowling innings, she has claimed 59 wickets at an economy rate of 6.61, with bests of 4/29 and 119*. Chamari’s tally includes 12 fifties and 3 centuries. This year, she has been in excellent form, scoring 684 runs from 18 outings at a career-best average of 42.75. Although she has managed just 6 and 3 runs in the World Cup games, she has claimed 3 wickets and is known for delivering impactful all-round performances, making her a strong contender for selection.
Deepti Sharma
The 27-year-old all-rounder, with 116 T20I outings, has taken 132 wickets, including the best of 4/10, maintaining an economy rate of 6.02, and she has scored 1040 runs from 33 innings, averaging 23.63. Building on her excellent form from The Hundred, she showcased her skills in the warmup games, taking 3 wickets and contributing scores of 13* and 35*. While she has struggled to find her rhythm in the league games, her potential for a turnaround makes her a valuable asset in any Fantasy XI.
Kavisha Dilhari
The 23-year-old all-rounder has played 48 T20I innings, accumulating 491 runs with a highest score of 51*, and in her 62 outings, she has also taken 51 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 6.48. During the 2024 World Cup, Kavisha has had a quiet campaign, scoring only 3 and 5 in her matches and claiming just one wicket. However, she has the potential to step up her efforts and become a valuable contributor to the team akin the Asia Cup in July 2024.
Bowlers:
Renuka Singh Thakur
The 28-year-old pacer has played 48 T20I matches, claiming 53 wickets with the best of 5/16 and maintaining an economy rate of 6.39. Renuka has shown impressive form in recent games, delivering economical figures of 1/15 and 0/16, and stepping up in the league matches with returns of 2/27 and 1/23. Her consistent performance makes her a strong pick for selection in the Fantasy XI.
Sugandika Kumari
The 33-year-old left-arm off-spinner has played 82 T20I matches, securing 62 wickets with the best of 3/17 and maintaining an economy rate of 6.00. Sugandika has been in impressive form this year, claiming 15 wickets from as many outings at an economy rate of 5.57. In the warm-up games, she produced figures of 3/8 (2) and 0/4 (2), followed by returns of 3/19 (4) and 1/16 (2.2) in the league matches. With her current form, she is expected to take wickets and is a strong choice for the Fantasy XI.
Sobhana Asha
The 33-year-old leg-spinner has featured in 5 T20I matches, claiming 6 wickets with an economy rate of 6.73. In the World Cup warm-up games, Sobhana recorded figures of 1/7 and 2/21, demonstrating her effectiveness. She has maintained this form in the league matches, achieving figures of 1/22 and 1/24. Building on this momentum, she’ll look to secure multiple wickets and could become a crucial pick in the XI.
Arundhati Reddy
The 27-year-old pacer has played 30 T20I matches, taking 25 wickets with the best of 3/19 and an economy rate of 7.76. This year, Arundhati has appeared in 5 T20Is, claiming 7 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.63. While she went wicketless in the warm-up games, she remained economical. In the World Cup league matches, she returned to form, recording figures of 1/28 and 3/19, making her a dependable option in the lineup.
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