*BANGLADESH WOMEN VS INDIA WOMEN 3rd T20I IN A 3 MATCH T20 SERIES 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
Only one winner has emerged out of these two games and it’s India who have capitalised on the crunch moments and delivered the right performance. The last T20I was another example of the Indian women finding their feet and having that belief to defend well. Despite posting just 95 for the loss of eight wickets on board, everyone was quick to get behind the bowlers and aim at bowling Bangladesh out, which they were eventually able to- shooting them out for 80.
An aspect which would please the Bangladeshis is their ability to bowl well against India this series. They were succesful in restricting them to just 95, one of the low totals where Sultana Khatun and Fatima Khatun starred with a three-fer and a two wicket haul respectively. Even in the first T20, the bowlers did reasonably well to drag the game till the 17th over. The form of the batters has castled Bangladesh and has been the critical talking point, something which they would be eagerly looking to turn over come the third T20I.
Tomorrow gives India a chance to start off with a whitewash in their cricketing journey post the T20 WC where they suffered a close loss against Australia. Given the composure that they have displayed in the critical moments of the game, I expect them to triumph over Ban once again, something which the Bangladesh fans would be praying against.
*IND PROBABLE XI:*
Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harleen Deol, Pooja Vastrakar, Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Bareddy Anusha, Minnu Mani
The batting will be closely looked at in the third T20I, a feature of India’s game where they haven’t shown much promise. The hard hitting opener, Shafali Varma has thrown away her wicket first up and the selectors will be keenly observing her credentials as a specialist opener in future. Her twin failures don’t do justice to the talent she possesses and a smacking return to form is in the waiting.
Harmanpreet recoded a rare golden ball duck the last time she stepped out to bat but it’s a sight which we don’t expect to see very often. Her fifty in the first game should keep her in good stead as India look to rub salt on Bangladesh’s wound.
I have been mighty impressed with Deepti Sharma’s off spin bowling this series. She has been a perfect bet in all aspects, not only containing the runs but chipping in with wickets as well. She was rightly awarded the POTM last game and would be high in confidence heading into the final game.
*BAN PROBABLE XI:*
Shathi Rani, Shamima Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana (c & wk), Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Sultana Khatun, Rabeya Khan
Nigar Sultana with 40 runs under her belt in the first two games, would be looking to finish strong. She is the skipper of this side and was the only one who showed some fight and resistance against a dominant Indian bowling performance last game where she gathered around for a well compiled 38. Performances like these where all others fail to stand up are remembered for long and we can expect something similar even tomorrow.
With 5 wickets added to her tally already, Sultana Khatun is having a series to remember. Even though her side has fallen short on both occasions, she is one of those players who should be proud of her effort. She would look to drive her team to a memorable win.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR INDIA:*
Highest run getter- Harmanpreet Kaur/Shafali Varma
Highest wicket taker- Deepti Sharma/Pooja Vastarkar
*FOR BAN:*
Highest run getter- Nigar Sultana
Highest wicket taker- Sultana Khatun/Fatima Khatun
*FOR THE GAME:*
India Women to win