The first match of the Women’s T20I tri-series that features India, South Africa, and the West Indies will be played on January 19 between India and South Africa at Buffalo Park in East London, South Africa. This tri-series is expected to offer good preparation to all three teams ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, to be played in South Africa from February 10 to 26.
Head-to-Head
India and South Africa have played 13 T20Is against each other, out of which India have won eight, South Africa have won four, and one match did not produce a result.
Squads
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Meghna Singh, Anjali Sarvani, Sushma Verma (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, S Meghana, Sneh Rana, Shikha Pandey
South Africa: Suné Luus (c), Chloé Tryon (vc), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Tebogo Macheke, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Delmi Tucker, Laura Wolvaardt
Players to watch
Smriti Mandhana:
The vice-captain of India is a vital cog in the team’s batting line-up. The left-handed opening batter has featured in 107 T20Is and scored 2565 runs, including 19 half-centuries. She has a healthy strike rate of 124 and an average of 27.
Renuka Singh Thakur:
The right-arm pace sensation of India has been in good form in the recent past. She opens the bowling and bowls well with the new ball. In her 25 T20Is, she has claimed 23 wickets, including a couple of four wicket-hauls.
Laura Wolvaardt:
The prolific right-handed batter of South Africa is a treat to watch. She is a free-flowing batter and has all the shots in the book. She has mustered 776 runs in 39 T20I innings, with the best score of 55 not out.
Marizanne Kapp:
The star all-rounder of South Africa is a right-handed middle-order batter and a right-arm speedster. With a wealth of experience in her kitty, she will be an integral part of the team’s success. She has over 1000 T20I runs and 66 wickets to her name in 84 games.
Pitch
The venue has successfully hosted just one women’s T20I. It was between India and South Africa in 2018. 286 runs were scored in that match, and eight wickets fell in the process. Expect a new surface that will offer plenty of runs. A high-scoring contest could be on the cards.
Weather
The weather is expected to see clouds followed by a brightening sky. It will be humid. The maximum temperature attained during the day will be 28 degrees Celsius. There will be a 90 percent cloud cover and a 25 percent chance of rain. The wind will blow from the south-southwest.
Fantasy Playing XI
Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Ayabonga Khaka, Shabnim Ismail, Radha Yadav
Match details
Date: January 19, 2023
Time: 10.30 PM IST (7 PM LOCAL)
Venue: Buffalo Park, East London, South Africa
Live streaming: Star Sports Network
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.
