West Indies Women vs India Women, 2nd T20I, Gros Islet: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

India Women beat West Indies Women by a whopping 84 runs in the first T20I of the 5-match series, at Gros Islet, St Lucia. Shafali Verma (73 in 49 balls) and Smriti Mandhana (67 in 46) launched an onslaught that culminated in a 143-run opening stand, off just 93 balls. India finished on 185/4.

There was little resistance from the hosts. None of the frontline bowlers conceded more than 6 an over. They struggled in the absence of Stafanie Taylor, eventually managing to reach 101/9.

About 16 hours after that defeat, the teams will meet again in the second match of the weekend’s double header at the same ground. Given how clueless they looked during the Verma-Mandhana onslaught, It will take West Indies serious effort to turn things around here. Anisa Mohammed (4-0-35-2) and Shakera Selman (4-0-36-2) bowled on gamely, but they did little to dent the progress of the Indians.

Mind you, the partnership meant that Jemimah Rodrigues did not even get a chance to bat, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy faced just 20 balls between them. They will be keen to have a go at the middle.

And then there are the spinners. Between them, the three main Indian spinners returned 11-2-49-5, choking the hosts with clinical efficiency. Kaur did not use Pooja Vastrakar early on, and Vastrakar responded with a tight spell. Perhaps a pacer and a spinner in the Powerplay overs will be India’s approach going ahead.

As for the West Indians, they need to find a way to get the better of the spinners. The task is not easy – the Indian spinners have choked almost all major sides into submission – but the West Indians do have a series of big hitters.

All in all, India Women will take field as favourites.

Head to head

Despite the defeat, West Indies Women hold an 8-6 lead. However, the head to head count reads 3-3 on West Indian soil.

Key players

Hayley Matthews (West Indies Women): Coming off an excellent outing for Loughborough Lightning in the KIA Super League, Matthews’ all-round skills may be the solution to West Indies’ woes at this point.

Shafali Verma (India Women): The teenager Verma, already touted as one for the future, had got starts against South Africa. This series, however is likely to be the launching pad for what lies ahead.

Likely XIs

West Indies Women: Hayley Matthews, Natasha McLean, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chedean Nation, Kyshona Knight (wk), Stacy-Ann King, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Anisa Mohammed (c), Shakera Selman.

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

Prediction

India Women to win and go 2-0 up.