Time: March 22, 6:30 AM IST
Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton
Pitch Report
The pitch at Hamilton has been kind to the batters of late. However, the weather is unlikely to show any mercy. The precipitation reads over 80% around noon.
Teams
Deepti Sharma is likely to replace the out-of-form Shafali Varma.
Probable XI for India: Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Probable XI for Bangladesh: Shamima Sultana (wk), Sharmin Akhter, Fargana Hoque, Nigar Sultana (c), Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Salma Khatun, Nahida Akter, Jahanara Alam, Fariha Trisna
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
Harmanpreet Kaur has scored two fifties and a hundred in the last four games. She also maintains a remarkable record versus Bangladesh, hitting a fifty and a hundred in two innings. If India bat first, she is likely to be one of the most popular candidates for captaincy in fantasy cricket.
Fargana Haque has been in good form in this World Cup. Her last three scores read 52, 71, and 23. Against India, she has the highest score of 50.
Pooja Vastrakar has accumulated the most fantasy points (196) for India. She has scored 123 runs at 25 and her 8 wickets are the joint-most for the team. For Bangladesh, Rumana Ahmed tops the fantasy chart (101.5 points) with her all-round skills.
India rely on Smriti Mandhana for a solid start. India have won every time she top-scored and ended up losing when she departed early. She has scored 226 runs at 45.2 in five games.
Smart Picks
Richa Ghosh has been spot on behind the wickets. She has taken 11 dismissals – the most in the edition. With the bat, she has blown hot and cold. Her highest score is 33.
Nigar Sultana has failed only once in four innings. She needs to create an encore of her match-winning 46 against Pakistan to pull off another improbable victory.
After a string of low scores, Mithali Raj finally found her feet. Although the fifty against Australia went in vain, it reaped rewards for the fantasy players.
For Bangladesh to start well, they will have to bank upon the pace-bowling services of the experienced Jahanara Alam. She has taken 4 wickets with an impressive economy of 4 RPO.
Yastika Bhatia has been in golden touch this season. She has only one single-digit score in four games and has the highest score of 59.
After her four-wicket haul in the opening game, Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s form has gone downhill. She was hammered for 48 runs without any wicket against Australia. India will want her to regain her form before the all-important game against South Africa this weekend.
Match Preview
Bangladesh have never beaten India in the format, but they have fond memories of beating India in the final of the 2018 Asia Cup. Given it’s a must-win game, India will have to maintain their composure.