Head-to-head record!!
This is the ninth meeting between an Indian woman and a South African woman. India leads the 1-1 record with her eight wins against four proteas. India beat South Africa by 27 runs in the previous match between the two teams.
South Africa and India each made her one change. Shabnim Ismail has replaced Masabata Klaas as host. India revives Puja Vastrakar in place of Amanjot Kaur.
India Women vs South Africa Women Playing XI
South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus (capt), Chloe Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba
India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Devika Vaidya, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
India’s elite will be expected to take a more fearless approach when facing South Africa in dress-her rehearsal for Saturday’s women’s try series final.
The loss of the West Indies in her first three matches led to the final between India and South Africa on 2 February. India would have struggled to maintain a competitive record against the West Indies without the experienced duo of Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur from previous league matches.
Both are expected to deliver consistent performances for the team, but the captain expects excellence from the younger group. Yastika Bhatia started the inning without Shafali Verma and failed to tackle the bowler on a power play. Paying tribute to South Africa and the West Indies, a similarly impressive approach against tougher opponents like Australia and England at the next World Cup could prove costly. not.
In the absence of Richa Ghosh, who plays alongside Shafari for the India U-19s, the team will need to find another mid-level power hitter. Rookie Amanjot Kaur made an impression in his debut and was itching to use the long handle again.
Jemima Rodriguez’s miserable run has continued since his series home against Australia and will need to find a run ahead of his ICC event next month. The game also gives Harleen Deol another chance to make an impact after two misses. The all-rounder Pooja’s Vastrakar has yet to feature him in a single match due to his physical condition, but he could play on Saturday.
Shikha Pandey, who made a surprise return to the national team, is expected to make a quick breakthrough after going wicketless in his comeback game.
After South Africa lost their try-series opener to India, South Africa will try to make amends before reuniting in the final.
The hosts hit the West Indies with 10 his wickets to secure his place in the title fight.
Squads
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice captain), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur, Meghna Singh, Anjali Sarvani, Shushma Verma (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Sabbhineni Meghana, Sneh Rana and Shikha Pandey.
South Africa: Suné Luus (captain), Chloé Tryon (vice captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Tebogo Macheke, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Delmi Tucker and Laura Wolvaardt.