West Indies Women vs India Women, 2nd ODI, North Sound: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

With 56 to get off 63 balls with 8 wickets in hand, it was India Women’s match to lose against West Indies Women at North Sound. But Anisa Mohammed took out the set batters – Priya Punia and Mithali Raj – in quick succession, then ran through the rest to finish with 5/46. She also bowled the last over. Set to defend 2 off the last ball, Anisa dismissed Poonam Yadav to clinch a spectacular 1-run win for the hosts.

Despite their defeat, however, India Women need not worry. They have won their last five series, against four different countries, and have been generally dominant in their victories. They will miss Smriti Mandhana (she may feature in the third ODI), but Priya Punia has done an outstanding job as replacement. The bowlers, too – both seamers and spinners – were formidable as a pack, restricting West Indies to 225/7 despite Stafanie Taylor’s 91-ball 94.

As for West Indies, Taylor (2/30 along with her 94) and Anisa – the seniors – shouldered much responsibility. Chedean Nation, too, got a brisk 43 on her return to the international; the onus is on Shemaine Campbelle, also making a comeback in this series, to rise to the challenge. They have won an ODI after 8 consecutive losses, and they will definitely not want to concede the advantage.

Even then, this is India’s match to lose: the difference between the sides over the past couple of years has been significant.

Head to head

Despite their defeat in the first ODI, India lead West Indies 18-5. However, West Indies have just stretched their lead on home soil to 3-1.

Key players

Stafanie Taylor (West Indies Women): Taylor was all over India in the first ODI, with both bat and ball as well as in her role as captain. West Indies will expect her to lead them to a much-awaited series triumph.

Jhulan Goswami (India Women): Who else? India will need early wickets, and who better than the legend to get them the breakthroughs? Goswami will lead the pack again, just as she has been doing for almost two decades now.

Likely XIs

West Indies Women: Natasha McLean, Stacy-Ann King, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Stafanie Taylor (c), Chedean Nation, Kyshona Knight, Chinelle Henry, Sheneta Grimmond, Anisa Mohammed, Shawnisha Hector, .

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

Prediction

India Women to win and level the series.