Women’s WC 2022: IND vs ENG Preview – Defending champs England fight for survival

India have had a bright start to the Women’s World Cup 2022 so far with two wins in three games and they will fancy their chances against the out of form England side who have lost three games on the trot. Smriti Mandhana’s 123 and Harmanpreet Kaur’s 109 helped India stage a huge victory over West Indies in their previous game.

England, however, has been on a losing streak with the defeats against Australia, West Indies and South Africa, all by close margins. The defending champions have two tough games coming up as well and will need to get their campaign back on track soon. Batting has been a concern for the Heather Knight led-side and will have to sort things out quickly.

Match Info

India vs England, Match 15, Women’s World Cup
Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Date: March 16th

Head-to-Head

Playing Combinations

India

India will look to continue with the same playing XI that did really well against the West Indies. Smriti Mandhana will continue to open with Yastika Bhatia while the middle order will comprise of the experience of Mithali, Harmanpreet and Deepthi. Ghosh can perform the finishing duties and the all-rounder Rana, and Vastrakar have done really well to hold on to their places. Goswami and Meghna will be the new ball bowling pair while Gayakwad has proved her worth so far with her left-arm spin.

Predicted XI: Yastika Bhatia, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

England

On the other hand, England do not have many options on the bench and will continue to back the same playing XI from the previous game. Beaumont looked good at the top and will open alongside Daniell Wyatt. Knight and Sciver need some runs desperately under their belt in the middle order while Amy Allen Jones was one of the few positives from the previous game. Dunkley and Brunt will do the finishing job while Ecclestone, Kate Cross and Dean can be handy down the order apart from their bowling abilities. Shrubsole will have a big role to play with the new ball.

Predicted XI: Tammy Beaumont, Danielle Wyatt, Heather Knight (c), Natalie Sciver, Amy Ellen Jones (wk), Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Charlotte Dean, Anya Shrubsole