The final match of the senior women one day Challenger Trophy will be played between India A and India D on December 9 at Vijayawada. While India A has won just one out of their three matches, India D, on the other hand, has remained invincible throughout the tournament. Will the law of averages kick in? Or will India D continue to dominate the show? Stay tuned to find out.
Match preview: India A vs India D
Squads
India A: Sneh Rana, Shivali Shinde, Lakshmi Yadav, Vrinda Dinesh, Jhanshi Lakshmi, Yastika Bhatia, Sushree Dibyadarshini, Mehak Kesar, Bareddy Malli Anusha, Sonal Kalal, Ganga Waikhom, Disha Kasat, Renuka Singh, Simran Dil Bahadur, Maya Sonawane
India D: Ashwini Kumari, Sanjula Naik, Divya Gnanananda, Monica Patel, K Prathyoosha, Pooja Raj, Saika Ishaque, Pooja Vastrakar, Ayushi Soni, Rajeshwari, Sabbhineni Meghana, Kanika Ahuja, Keerthy James, Indrani Roy, Amanjot Kaur
Players to watch out for
Disha Kasat:
She is the most successful batter for India A with 139 runs in three matches, including a couple of half-centuries. She is a vital cog in the team’s middle order. India A will want her to anchor the innings. Apart from her batting, she bowls right-arm off-spin. Though she has not been among wickets, she has the ability to bowl economically.
Simran Dil Bahadur:
The right arm quick from Delhi has been impressive with her bowling in this tournament. She has been the most destructive bowler for India A with seven wickets from three matches, including the best of 3-37. She bowls stump to stump, keeping the batters at bay. In addition to her bowling, she is more than a handy lower middle-order bat. The southpaw has scored 52 runs, including the best of 23 not out.
Sabbhineni Meghana:
The right-hand opening bat has been the leading run-getter for India D and second-highest overall with 162 runs in three matches. She has smashed one century and one half-century so far, including the best of 102. India D will want their opening bat to provide them with a solid start one last time in this tournament. Though she missed out on scoring in her last match, she will be wanting to have a go in the final.
Pooja Vastrakar:
The captain of India D has had a wonderful tournament, both with bat and ball. She is the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 154 runs in three matches. In her last match against India A she muscled 96 runs. With the ball, the right arm speedster has accounted for five wickets. India D will want their captain to lead from the front and have an impact with both bat and ball in the finals.
Weather
The weather does not look good as there is a 55% chance of rain in the morning (local) and a 90% chance of rain in the afternoon (local). The average temperatures will be between 25 and 26 degrees Celsius. The wind will blow from east-northeast in the morning and east-southeast in the afternoon.
Pitch
This will be the last match of the tournament at this venue. The wicket is expected to be good for batting, however, it could be on a slightly slower side, given the wear and tear that it has gone through over the last week. Seamers with the new ball and spinners in the middle overs will be the key. Toss will be important as it is expected to rain during the match.
Fantasy playing XI
Shivali Shinde, Sabbhineni Meghana, Yastika Bhatia, Ayushi Soni, Disha Kasat, Kanika Ahuja, James Keerthy, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Simran Dil Bahadur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Match details
Date: December 9, 2021
Time: 9 am IST
Venue: Dr. Gokaraju Laila Ganga Raju ACA Cricket Complex -DVR Ground, Mulapadu, Vijayawada
Live streaming: Hotstar, Star Sports 2
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.