Hosts India, with dominant wins in the 3-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series over the West Indies, clinched the series 2-1. The focus now shifts to the second leg, the first of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), scheduled for the 22nd of December 2024. The match will commence at 1:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.
Head-to-head:
India, with 21 wins from 26 ODIs against the West Indies, has been a dominant force in this bilateral series, with the West Indies managing only 5 wins. In their most recent ODI clash during the 2022 World Cup, Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant 123 powered India to post a formidable 317 before bowling out West Indies for 162, securing an emphatic 155-run win. Notably, India also triumphed in their last ODI series against the West Indies, clinching it 2-1 back in 2019.
Recent form:
India faced a tough challenge in their most recent ODI series against Australia earlier this month, suffering heavy defeats by margins of 5 wickets, 122 runs, and 83 runs. However, they have displayed dominance otherwise, securing a 2-1 series win against New Zealand in October 2024 and a clean 3-0 sweep over South Africa in June 2024. On the other hand, the West Indies enjoyed a 3-0 whitewash over Pakistan in April but struggled in their only other ODI series this year, enduring a 0-3 loss to Sri Lanka in June.
Squads:
Indian women’s cricket team
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh (WK), Uma Chetry (WK), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Tanuja Kanwer, Titas Sadhu, Saima Thakor, Renuka Singh Thakur
West Indies women’s cricket team
Hayley Matthews (C), Shemaine Campbelle, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Nerissa Crafton, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Rashada Williams
Players to watch out:
Tejal Hasabnis
The 27-year-old middle-order batter in the 2023-24 Senior Women’s One Day Trophy accumulated 362 runs, at an average of 51.71, from 8 outings, and registered the highest score of 105. On the back of yet another consistent domestic season, Tejal made her ODI debut in the series against New Zealand, registering scores of 42 and 15. It is hoped she builds on the start she has had and registers big scores in this series.
Minnu Mani
The 25-year-old all-rounder was rewarded for her domestic success with an ODI call-up for India’s recent series against Australia, where Minnu, on debut, scored an unbeaten 46 and returned figures of 2/71. Minnu is a seasoned campaigner in the domestic circuit and should be backed to replicate that success in international cricket, providing breakthroughs and chipping in with handy runs consistently.
Hayley Matthews
The 26-year-old all-rounder in ODIs, from 81 outings, has amassed 2,434 runs at an average of 31.20, and from 78 innings, has scalped 100 wickets at an economy rate of 4.03, with bests of 141 and 4/15. Hayley was in outstanding form leading up to this series, and while in the T20Is, she managed scores of 1, 85*, and 22, alongside expensive bowling returns of 0/38, 2/36, and 0/34, she can be trusted for improved all-round efforts in the ODI series.
Karishma Ramharack
The 29-year-old off-spinner, from 24 ODI outings, has picked up 22 wickets at an average of 4.39 and recorded the best of 3/22, while also being handy with the bat on a few occasions. Karishma had a notable start to this series, producing bowling figures of 2/18 (4) and 0/19 (3), and though in her most recent outing she leaked 44 runs in 3 overs, she can be relied upon for economical and effective returns throughout the ODIs.
Pitch:
The center wicket at Kotambi Stadium provides a well-balanced playing surface. Despite being good for batting, the average score in the 230s suggests that bowlers, especially spinners, can expect some assistance from the pitch.
Weather:
It will be a pleasant day for cricket in Vadodara with no rain interruptions, under a clear sky. The temperature is forecast to hover in the mid-20s (°C), with light winds and a humidity level of 62%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Richa Ghosh, Shemaine Campbelle, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Tejal Hasabnis, Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack
Match details:
Date – December 22, 2024
Time – 1:30 PM IST
Venue – Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on Jio Cinema and telecasted on Sports18.
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