Following hosts India’s convincing win in the opener of the 3-match One-Day International (ODI) series, New Zealand bounced back with a dominant victory in the 2nd ODI, keeping the series alive. The decider is slated for the 29th of October 2024, at 1:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Squads:
India women’s cricket team
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Dayalan Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Uma Chetry (WK), Sayali Satgare, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil
New Zealand women’s cricket team
Sophie Devine (C), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
Players to watch out:
Jemimah Rodrigues
The 24-year-old middle-order batter has accumulated 762 runs from 31 ODI innings, at an average of 27.21, and registered the highest score of 86. Jemimah hasn’t been at her best lately; however, she has consistently managed good starts. In this series, she scored a fine 35 in the 1st ODI, and though she departed cheaply for 17 in the 2nd ODI, she can be relied upon to convert her starts into substantial scores, leading the scoring.
Radha Yadav
The 21-year-old left-arm off-spinner, from 6 ODIs, has secured 8 wickets at an economy rate of 5.17, and rewrote her best to 4/69 in her recent outing. An 81 T20I games veteran, Radha is starting to translate her success into the longer format, while also stepping up with the bat. Her bowling returns from this series read 3/35 and 4/69, alongside a 48 with the bat in her most recent outing. She can be counted on for the goods.
Sophie Devine
The 35-year-old all-rounder, in ODIs, from 136 outings has amassed 3,941 runs at an average of 32.04, and from 123 bowling innings has taken 104 wickets at an economy rate of 4.51. Sophie has been in decent form of late, and though she was run out for 2 in the 1st ODI, she top-scored with 79, alongside returning figures of 3/27 in her most recent outing. She can be relied upon for another all-round effort in the must-win.
Lea Tahuhu
The 34-year-old pacer, from 95 ODI innings, has scalped 115 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 4.53, and registered the best of 5/37. Lea has consistently been economical and among the wickets, including in her most recent campaign, the T20 World Cup. She was rested from this series opener and, upon her return for the 2nd ODI, produced figures of 3/42 and can be trusted to provide breakthroughs.
Pitch:
The 22 yards at Narendra Modi Stadium form a good batting-friendly surface, with an average score in the 230s. However, the wicket also has enough in it for bowlers, both pacers and spinners, who can expect good bounce and turn from the wicket.
Weather:
It will be a bright sunny day in Ahmedabad, with the temperature expected to hover around 35°C, light winds, and humidity at 50%. With a clear forecast, we are in for a complete game of cricket.
Fantasy playing XI:
Yastika Bhatia, Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Georgia Plimmer, Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Radha Yadav
Match details:
Date – October 29, 2024
Time – 1:30 PM IST
Venue – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Broadcast – The game will be telecast by Sports 18 and live-streamed on Jio Cinema.
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