*INDIA WOMEN VS BANGLADESH WOMEN 3rd ODI IN A 3 MATCH ODI SERIES 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*IT BOILS DOWN TO THIS:*
Two games that were pretty much one sided and ended in a comfortable victory is what we have experienced so far in this series but here we are, waiting for the much awaited third ODI that is set to decide the fate of the two teams and also check the credentials of Bangladesh who have already shown so much promise and have excited the crowds. The Sultana led outfit were not expected to be in such a close tussle vs Harman and co but their belief and their determination to give a strong fight at home is what has worked rightly in their favour and they stand at the brink of creating history by toppling India for the first time ever in a ODI series and displaying it to the world of the game they have for the competitive level.
There were lots of talks about how India were likely to stage a comeback in this series and with Jemimeh leading from the front, they found their mojo and found the gears. She top scored with a 78 ball 86 and ended up going home with a three fer up her sleeves as well, bagging the POTM award and bringing a closure to a near perfect game for her. The bowling on the other hand, stepped up when it was needed the most and continuing their good form, they castled Bangladesh for a mere 120 runs. This is one aspect of India’s game that has been near perfect throughout the series and I can’t wait to see them work their magic in the decider, where the stakes and reputation is very high.
*BAN W PROBABLE XI:*
Murshida Khatun, Sharmin Akhter, Fargana Hoque, Nigar Sultana(c)(Wk), Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Lata Mondal, Nahida Akhter, Fahima Khatun, Sultana Khatun, Marufa Akhter
Nahida Akhter and Sultana Khatun have been pillars of strength to this ODI side of Bangladesh. They have been key to their success and have not let the Indians get away so easily. The other day, they joined hands to send 4 Indian batters packing and with the form they are carrying, the Indian betters need to be very careful in how they will be dealing with this duo.
A rare low score and a failure from Nigar Sultana, the skipper of the Ban side sent shock waves across the Bangladesh camp and was also one of the reasons why no fight came from their end. Fargana Hoque, their no3 however, should be confident of how she progressed her innings. She batted with composure and felt like she could take the game deep. The 30 year old missed out on her fifty by just 3 runs and she’d be eager to make it right and give her side a memorable win. Don’t forget Sultana, the leader who is a tough character that can’t be kept quite for long.
*INDIA W PROBABLE XI:*
Priya Punia, Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia(wk), Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodriquez, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Devika Vaidya, Meghna Singh
India are unlikely to make any changes to their winning XI and should stick to these XI.
Devika Vaidya ever since her inception has grown leaps and bounds and it goes without saying that she is one of the very few assets of this Indian side in Bangladesh, knowing how to spin a web around the opposition and making the hosts unable to read her. She bagged a three wicket haul last game and looks hungry for more. Bangladesh will have to go through this hurdle if they are to even get close to making history.
Barring Rodriquez, Mandhana was another Indian women batter to go past the 50 run mark last game but clearly she wasn’t at her fluent best. The fact that she played out 88 balls in her knock of 52 justifies this. Regardless, runs under her belt before the inception of the decider is what India would have demanded and they have managed to achieve it. Bangladesh can only imagine how she will lead the assault as she gets back to her brutal best. Another batter who showed good signs was Smriti, for the nth time she ended up throwing her good start away and in this aspect, she is very much like the veteran Rohit Sharma of the men’s side. An improved performance from the southpaw where she bats long and bats Bangladesh out of the series is the need of the hour.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR BAN W:*
Highest run getter- Nigar Sultana/Hoque
Highest wicket taker- Sultana Khatun
*FOR INDIA W:*
Highest run getter- Harmanpreet Kaur/Jemimah Rodriquez
Highest wicket taker- Devika Vaidya
*FOR THE GAME:*
India Women to win