West Indies Women vs India Women, 3rd ODI, North Sound: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

After losing the first ODI by a solitary run, India Women turned things around with a 53-run win over West Indies Women in the second. They first put up 191/6, of which 163 came from Punam Raut (77), Mithali Raj (40), and Harmanpreet Kaur (46). Then the spinners – Deepti Sharma (2/25), Poonam Yadav (2/26), and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/27) – bowled out the hosts for 138.

It is likely that India will press their advantage to their sixth consecutive series win, against five different countries. Jemimah Rodrigues is the only one who has not got off with bat in the series so far; she would want to rectify that. With Smriti Mandhana also likely to return, they will be tough to defeat.

As usual, Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey have been excellent with the new ball. Gayakwad, who replaced Ekta Bisht, bowled beautifully, leaving India with an enviable problem of plenty.

All in all, India seem ready to seal this one.

The West Indian win in the first ODI was largely due to superb performances from their two big guns – Stafanie Taylor and Anisa Mohammed. Chedean Nation, Shemaine Campbelle, and Afy Fletcher, the other seniors, have also done well in bits, but West Indies’ problem has been their inability to deliver as a unit. There are too many weak links to repair, more so due to the prolonged absence of Deandra Dottin.

Head to head

India now hold a 19-5 lead over West Indies including 6 wins in the last 7 matches. However, West Indies still lead 3-2 on home soil.

Key players

Aaliyah Alleyne (West Indies Women): The stint with Durham Women seems to have done Alleyne a world of good. She was disciplined in her effort in the second ODI, taking out Rodrigues for a duck in her second over and bowling Kaur at the death. A lot will be expected of her.

Deepti Sharma (India Women): Sharma has failed reach fifty in 8 consecutive innings now. While she has been prolific with ball, she has raised the bar so high that at this stage they expect her to be at her best in both disciplines.

Likely XIs

West Indies Women: Natasha McLean, Stacy-Ann King, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Stafanie Taylor (c), Chedean Nation, Kyshona Knight, Shenta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Anisa Mohammed.

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

Prediction

India Women to win their sixth consecutive series.