India Women vs South Africa Women, 1st ODI, Vadodara: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

After defeating South Africa Women 3-1 in the T20Is at Surat, India Women will now host them for a 3-match ODI series, to be played entirely at Reliance Stadium, Vadodara. The first match will be played on October 9.

India might have won the T20Is, but will be wary after the heavy defeat in the “dead-rubber” last match, where they collapsed to 70 (their second-lowest total of all time) to lose by 105 runs (their biggest defeat while chasing).

The Indian batters were not at their best in the T20Is. The only three fifties came from the tourists. However, now they will be bolstered by the return of Punam Raut and Mithali Raj. Their pace attack, entirely dependent on Shikha Pandey in the T20Is, will now be spearheaded by Jhulan Goswami. In other words, an entirely different outfit will take field this time.

Since being whitewashed 0-3 by Australia at home last year, India have won their last four series – twice against England at home, and once each in Sri Lanka and New Zealand – all by 2-1 margins. They should win this, too.

South Africa’s journey has been bumpier since they thrashed Bangladesh 5-0 at home last year. They lost 1-2 in England and drew 1-1 in West Indies before defeating Sri Lanka 3-0 and drawing 1-1 with Pakistan, both at home.

While Dane van Niekerk and Chloe Tryon are still away, Marizanne Kapp will return as Shabnim Ismail’s bowling partner to bolster an already formidable bowling attack. Trisha Chetty is back as well to provide much-needed experience on both sides of the stumps.

And then, there is their top order – Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, and Mignon du Preez – all of whom can change the course of a match on their own. All in all, while India are favourites, it will not be an easy win.

Head to head

India hold an 11-7 lead here including a 2-1 win in South Africa last year. However, the teams are matched 2-2 on Indian soil. South Africa had won the last bilateral series here, in 2014-15.

Key players

Mithali Raj (India Women): She might have retired from T20Is just before the series, but India Women’s greatest ODI batter will be back to lead South Africa. She is eyeing the 2021 World Cup – and this is where the journey starts.

Lizelle Lee (South Africa Women): It was Lee’s 65-ball 92 that was responsible for India Women’s first defeat in the 2017 World Cup. Having conceded the big gloves to Chetty, Lee will be back to pulverise bowlers yet again.

Likely XIs

India Women: Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Punam Raut, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Jhulan Goswami, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

South Africa Women: Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Mignon du Preez, Nadine de Klerk, Sune Luus (c), Marizanne Kapp, Trisha Chetty (wk), Masabata Klaas, Shabnim Ismail, Tumi Sekhukhune.

Prediction

India Women to go up 1-0.