*BANGLADESH WOMEN VS INDIA WOMEN 1st T20I IN A 3- MATCH T20 SERIES 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
The Women in Blue were last seen in play at the T20 WorldCup where they suffered a close loss to Australia and with fresh faces expected to make their debuts, the Indians would be keen upon starting fresh and making it count. It’s an away tour for India Women and nothing like a victory to welcome the visitors. I would be keeping a close tab on how India address their death overs batting issue. Richa Ghosh has played this role to perfection in the past but with the batter missing out this series, India have a task up their sleeves to try out somebody else for that role, maybe see how the likes of Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma go about it. Otherwise, India look more or less sorted and with a strong batting group in the reckoning, the Bangladeshis would be vary of this.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, regardless of the gender that is playing have a strong record and past at home. They have been brutal to say the least and can challenge even the best of the teams in play. Even Harman did not shy away from the fact that Bangladesh are the real deal on their own turf and their skipper Nigar Sultana would be keen on maintaining that reputation. What they do vs India this time around, will be closely looked at because they have been very mediocre against Harman and co.
*INDIA PROBABLE XI:*
Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Anjali Sarvani, Meghna Singh
Shafali Verma, with her duties to open up, is crucial. She has not been able to survive the short ball barrage and the Bangladeshi bowlers could look to take that route and dismiss her. The Aggresive opener however, will be eagerly looking forward to break the momentum of Ban with her classy positive stroke play.
The absence of left-arm spinners Radha Yadav and Rajeshwari Gayakwad can hand maiden caps to 20-year-old Anusha Bareddy and Rashi Kanojiya. The series will also be a comeback for pacer Monica Patel and Meghna Singh will be eager to cement her place in the side after warming up the bench for most of the last season.
In Harman-Mandhana-Rodriques, India boast of a stunning troika with the bat who can take the game away from the opposition at will. Over the years, in this format, they have been calculative and extremely proactive as well(when required). Bangladesh know the dangers and will look to keep it tight and not give them room to deal with. However, with the class that these players have, expect them to take the attack to them.
*BAN PROBABLE XI:*
Nigar Sultana (c and wk), Shamima Sultana, Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Dilara Akter, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan
Sultana, particularly, will be the mainstay of their batting. The experienced batter has scored 271 runs in the last 10 matches at an average of 30.11 and a strike-rate of 98.54. The skipper of this side has been a consistent bet with the bat in hand but her strike rate has been on the poor side, making her a less dangerous option with her primary skillset. Given these matches will be played at her home, we could expect a show from her and if not for the gods, a carryjob as well.
The bulk of the job will have to be performed by the spinners keeping the surface at hand and the fact that Bangladesh are playing them with more conviction. Eager to watch the duo of Rabeya Khan and Nahida Akhtar, two bowlers who offer very different sort of skillset with one being a leg spinner and the other being a left arm orthodox slow bowler. Together, they could test India’s powerpacked batting and make a name for themselves at home.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR IND:*
Highest run getter- Harmanpreet Kaur/Smriti Mandhana
Highest wicket taker- Deepti Sharma/ Pooja Vastarkar
*FOR BAN:*
Highest run getter- Nigar Sultana
Highest wicket taker- Nahida Akhter
*FOR THE GAME:*
India to start right and win