India Women vs New Zealand Women: In a must-win game for both New Zealand and India in the context of the tournament, the White Ferns have elected to bowl first against India on Thursday at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the Team India captain, informed about one change in the match – Jemimah Rodrigues replaces Amanjot Kaur in the playing XI.
Notably, Harmanpreet also stated that the pitch is looking good to bat on as they will seek to put up a good total to defend it under lights.
“The pitch is looking really good and I think we have got a great opportunity, today we have added extra batters. So I think it’s a great opportunity to set a decent total on the board. Jemimah is in for Amanjot. It was a little disappointing for all of us because we have been playing good cricket but unfortunately we were not able to get the result. But today is a very important game and we all want to enjoy this moment and play good cricket. We are getting starts but unfortunately we are able to make it big. But today is a great opportunity and we are looking for everyone to do well for the team,” Harmanpreet Kaur said.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who elected to bowl first stated that the surface might not change much during the course of the game. “We are going to have a bowl first today. The surface won’t change much and hopefully it can get better under lights, dew will also come in. We have been training exceptionally hard and a couple of extra sessions won’t change much. This is the moment all cricketers want to be playing, pressure game, playing India in India,” Devine said.
Navi Mumbai Pitch Report: As per the official broadcaster, it is humid but there will be good bounce and carry in the wicket. Spinners will come into play as the game progresses.
India Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Players:
India Women (Playing XI): Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(w), Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur
New Zealand Women (Playing XI): Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson