West Indies Women vs India Women, 1st T20I, Gros Islet: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

India Women came back from behind to win their sixth consecutive ODI series 2-1, against West Indies. With the T20 World Cup three months away, West Indies will now host India for 5 T20Is. The first two of these will be played over the weekend, at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.

West Indies had made it to the semi-final of the 2018 T20 World Cup, at home. Since then they have won 2-1 in Pakistan and 3-0 in Ireland before losing to the big guns – 0-1 in England and 0-3 against Australia at home. Crippled by the absence of Deandra Dottin, West Indies will have to play above their potential to make a contest of this.

Stafanie Taylor and Anisa Mohammed, who had helped script the win in the first ODI, will have to lead the way. In a team with several juniors, the other seniors – Shemaine Campbelle, Kyshona Knight, Chinelle Henry – will have to play a role.

India have not had a great time, either. They were trounced 0-3 in New Zealand and 0-3 against England at home despite winning the respective ODI series comfortably. Then, just before the West Indies tour, they beat South Africa 3-1 at home.

However, they have undergone several changes in the interim period. Mithali Raj, no less, has called it quits from the format. She has been replaced by teenager Shafali Verma, who, along with Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Veda Krishnamurthy, form one of the most explosive batting units.

The bowling has been largely spin-dependent, but that had worked when they had last played here, in the T20 World Cup. Poonam Yadav will be more than a handful, while Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma are as good a support unit as any.

All in all, the spinners give India an edge, but only just.

Head to head

West Indies Women hold an 8-5 lead here including 3-2 on home soil. They have also won the last 4 matches, all on Indian soil. However, that was three years ago: both teams have undergone significant changes since then.

Key players

Anisa Mohammed (West Indies Women): The highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is, Anisa had routed India with 5 wickets in the first ODI. The hosts will need all her experience, skills, and guile to their aid.

Smriti Mandhana (India Women): Mandhana was in indifferent form against South Africa before missing 5 ODIs due to an injury. However, she returned with a bang in the decider here, smashing a 63-ball 74. She will be a serious threat, especially in the Powerplay overs.

Likely XIs

West Indies Women: Kyshona Knight (wk), Britney Cooper, Stafanie Taylor (c), Shemaine Campbelle, Stacy-Ann King, Natasha McLean, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Anisa Mohammed.

India Women: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav.

Prediction

A close call, but India Women are slight favourites to go 1-0 up.