Two quality and competitive sides, India and England, are set to go head-to-head in the 1st of 3 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) on the 6th of December 2023, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, at 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
India – Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh, Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Mannat Kashyap, Saika Ishaque, Renuka Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Pooja Vastrakar, Kanika Ahuja, Minnu Mani
England – Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Bess Heath, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight (C), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danielle Wyatt
Players to watch out:
Smriti Mandhana
The 27-year-old opening batter, in 118 T20Is, has amassed 2934 runs, averaging 27.42 and striking at 123.07, with the best of 87. Notably, Smriti averages 41.25 against England, having racked up 660 runs striking at 142.24 in 18 outings against them. She was amongst runs in the Senior Women’s T20 competition and can be banked on to have a good game.
Jemimah Rodrigues urges support from Indian fans ahead of England series. #CricketTwitter #ENGvINDpic.twitter.com/p0ZmW35g70
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 5, 2023
Saika Ishaque
The 28-year-old uncapped left-arm spinner could prove valuable this series, especially bowling to right-handers, most of whom are top-quality English batters. Saika scalped as many as 25 wickets from just 13 outings in the ongoing domestic season leading up to the series and will be backed to translate this form from domestic to international cricket.
Nat Sciver-Brunt
The 31-year-old all-rounder, in 111 T20I appearances, has piled on 2230 runs striking at 114.71 and taking 81 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 6.50. Nat, in the recently concluded Women’s Big Bash League, put up good scores and on her return to bowling, was immediately among the wickets. It’ll be expected of her to carry forward the momentum into this series.
Sarah Glenn
The 24-year-old bowling (leg-spin) all-rounder, in T20Is, in 49 outings, has picked up 61 wickets at an economy rate of 6.12, registering the best of 4/23. With the bat, striking at 115.53, Sarah has chipped in, scoring 119 runs from 10 outings. She was economical and bagged 6 wickets in 5 WBBL outings last month and could well be rewarding on Indian tracks.
Pitch:
The Wankhede Stadium features a well-balanced center wicket with an average score in the 140s. However, the wicket poses a challenge for batters throughout the game due to uneven bounce, especially against pacers.
Weather:
The conditions at Wankhede Stadium are forecasted to be pleasant for the game, with clear skies overhead and minimal chances of rain. The temperature is expected to be around 29°C, with light winds and a humidity level of 59%.
Who makes it to your 🇮🇳 Playing XI for 1st T20I tomorrow againat England? #CricketTwitter #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/0agASPLuGk
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 5, 2023
Fantasy playing XI:
Amy Jones, Richa Ghosh, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Heather Knight, Jemimah Rodrigues, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Saika Ishaque
Match details:
Date – December 6, 2023
Time – 7:00 PM IST
Venue – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Jio Cinema and telecasted on Sports18.
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