Match Preview: India vs Australia – Match 17

Match Preview: India vs Australia – Match 17

Date: November 17, 2018

Venue: Guyana National Stadium, Providence, Guyana

As India and Australia have already qualified for the semi-finals, this encounter is all about to get a psychological advantage and stamp their dominance before playing the big knock out matches. The fact that the likes of Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Veda Krishnamurthy have played in the Women’s Big Bash league, they will be aware of this Australian side much better than any other in the side. This match would be a battle between the in-form Australian batters versus the in-form Indian spinners. Indian spinner Poonam Yadav has been in her prime form and is picking wickets consistently as well as bowling economically in every match. For Australia, Alyssa Healy has been in some terrific form and giving brilliant starts along with Beth Mooney.

 

Players to watch out:

Alysa Healy:

Alyssa Healy has been in some terrific form in this world T20 and was player of the match in all the 3 games Australia has played in this tournament so far. She has been scoring quickly in the power play and easing the pressure off from the other batters. She has broken the record for most runs as a wicketkeeper in her first three innings of the tournament.

Harmanpreet Kaur:

If there is one player who knows this Australian attack much better than anyone in the side, it should be Harmanpreet Kaur. The magnificent form she is in will be the biggest positive thing for India heading into the crucial knockout stages of the tournament. Her scintillating century in the opening match of the tournament is a testimony of her skill and ability.

 

Who said What?

"I think we will be looking at it as a match only and not just like we need to be on the top of the table of this group, That's what our mindset will be, and to go all out. Before coming into the World T20, Ramesh (Powar, the coach) had told us that you have to dominate each and every match, so that is the only mindset which we had the last three matches, and I don't think it will change in the next match." - Smriti Mandhana

“I like to try and create some run outs early, I know it’s something people feed off in the field, so I feel like I can be that player to lift everyone and that’s what I’ve been trying to do.” - Delissa Kimmince

 

Conditions:

The conditions in Guyana were actually assisting spinners as we have watched in India vs Ireland match. With the variable bounce due to dampness in the wicket, batting was not easy as the ball hadn’t come on to bat quickly. In general, the wicket suits the spinners as well as there will be a good purchase for the pacers if they are able to hit the right spots. There will be value for shots because of the quick outfield and as it is the first match of the day, the pitch will not change much during the course of the match.

 

Numbers to look out for:

• Ellyse Perry will be playing her 100^th match in T20Is


• Harmanpreet Kaur requires 55 runs to become player with most runs in T20Is in a calendar year.


• Ellyse Perry needs 91 runs to score 1000 runs in T20Is.


• Smriti Mandhana needs 71 runs to score 1000 runs in T20Is.

 

Probable XI

India: Smriti Mandhana, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Mithali Raj, Veda Krishnamurthy, Deepti Sharma, Dayalan Hemalatha, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Mansi Joshi

Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Elyse Villani, Rachael Haynes, Sophie Molineux, Delissa Kimmince, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt.