The India Women’s cricket team (IND-W) will look to bounce back after their group-stage exit in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as they take on the newly-crowned T20 World Cup champions, New Zealand Women (NZ-W), in the first ODI of the three-match series. The game will be held at the historic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 24, Thursday, at 1:30 PM IST.
The White Ferns, fresh from their World Cup triumph, will be full of confidence heading into the ODI series. India, on the other hand, will be eager to perform in front of their home crowd and prove their mettle after a disappointing T20 campaign. This series will be a chance for both teams to lay the groundwork for the upcoming 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.
Match Details:
- Fixture: India Women vs New Zealand Women, 1st ODI
- Date: October 24, 2024
- Time: 1:30 PM IST
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Broadcast: Sports18 Network
- Live Stream: Vegas11
Team India’s Redemption:
India, already qualified for the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup as hosts, will be aiming to get back on track after their T20 World Cup exit. The team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will be counting on their experienced players like Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma to provide a strong start at the top of the order. Richa Ghosh will miss the series due to her academic commitments, while Pooja Vastrakar has been rested following her injury in the UAE. New players like Tejal Hasabnis and Saima Thakor have earned their maiden call-ups, while India’s bowling will rely heavily on experienced hands like Renuka Singh and Radha Yadav.
New Zealand Riding High:
New Zealand Women, led by Sophie Devine, come into the series brimming with confidence after clinching the 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite being placed sixth in the ICC ODI standings, the White Ferns will be looking to secure vital points to ensure direct qualification for the 2025 ODI World Cup.
Amelia Kerr, the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup, is expected to play a key role in both the batting and bowling departments. Alongside her, Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine will add strength to New Zealand’s top order, while the bowling unit will feature familiar faces like Hannah Rowe and Lea Tahuhu.
Pitch Report:
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to favor batters, with the ball coming on to the bat nicely. The average first-innings score here is around 300, and teams winning the toss will likely opt to chase, considering the dew factor in the second half. Pace bowlers could get some assistance early on, but spinners are expected to play a significant role in the middle overs.
- Pace vs Spin: 70% Pace, 30% Spin
- Batting Pitch: 60%
- Average Score: 300
- Team Form:
- India Women (Last 5 matches): L, W, W, L, W
- New Zealand Women (Last 5 matches): W, W, W, W, L
Probable Playing XI:
India Women:
Yastika Bhatia, Uma Chetry (wk), Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh, Anjali Reddy, Shreyanka Patil
Bench: Dayalan Hemalatha, Tejal Hasabnis, Priya Mishra, Sayali Satghare, Saima Thakor
New Zealand Women:
ML Green, IC Gaze (wk), Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Eden Carson, Hannah Rowe, Molly Penfold, Lea Tahuhu
Bench: Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Polly Inglis, Lauren Down
Key Player Picks:
Smriti Mandhana (India): The star opener is in great form, amassing 562 runs from her last nine matches. Mandhana’s ability to provide a solid start will be crucial for India.
Amelia Kerr (New Zealand): Kerr’s all-round ability makes her a key player for the White Ferns. She has scored 443 runs and taken 13 wickets in her last 10 games, making her a must-watch.
Suzie Bates (New Zealand): Bates’ aggressive batting at the top of the order will be crucial. She has scored 344 runs in her last 10 matches and will be looking to continue her excellent form.
Conclusion:
Both teams have a point to prove in this three-match ODI series. While India will be looking to regain confidence on home soil after their T20 World Cup disappointment, New Zealand will aim to carry their winning momentum forward and secure crucial points for ODI World Cup qualification. With strong lineups and star players on both sides, the series promises to be a thrilling contest.
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