FANTASY
Follow UsIndia lock horns against Pakistan in the opening clash of the T20 World Cup. Well, it does not get any better than this, and the Newlands stadium in Cape Town is in all readiness to witness this marquee clash of world cricket.
While the rivalry has been one-sided with India winning 10 out of the 13 encounters played thus far. However, the last time these two sides played against each other, Pakistan edged past India by 13 runs in the Asia Cup to record their first win in six years against the Women in Blue.
Ground details
The wicket at the Newlands stadium has surprised one and all in the last couple of matches. While South Africa is known to be conducive for pace and bounce, the surface in Cape Town has offered considerable amount of turn.
With runs hard to come by, the average score at the venue is around the 140-run mark, and it will not be a bad idea to build your team full of spinners and all-rounders.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captaincy Suggestions
For small leagues: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Deepti Sharma (vice-captain)
For grand leagues: Renuka Singh (Captain), Nida Dar (vice-captain)
Stats that matter
Harmanpreet Kaur has been one of the most prolific batters for the Indian side since the completion of the 2020 T20 World Cup Down Under.
The right-handed batter has amassed 711 runs in 27 innings at an average of 33.85 and a strike rate of 122.2, the best among batters in the middle order (4-7) to lead India's charge in T20Is.
One of the most underrated all-rounders in women's cricket, Deepti Sharma, will be crucial to India's chances lower down the order along with her off-spin.
In the 23 innings, she has played thus far, the southpaw smashed 361 runs at an average of 36.1 and a strike rate of 131.1, batting at number six or lower, which is the best by a player since the last edition of the T20 World Cup.
The 25-year-old is also the leading wicket-taker since the previous mega event, with 45 wickets in 38 innings at a strike rate of 18.2 and an economy rate of 6.3 runs per over.
Along with the duo, Shafali Verma is another batter who can help you gain maximum points in this high-voltage clash. The right-handed batter is fourth in the list of leading run scorers since the last World Cup, with 746 runs in 33 innings at an average of 22.6 and a strike rate of 122.75.
Grand League Punts
The last time these two sides met in October 2022, Nida Dar smashed an unbeaten 56 off 37 deliveries to power Pakistan to a famous win.
The right-handed batter will yet again be crucial to her team's chances, and the outcome of the game will depend on her performance in the middle overs.
The 36-year-old has scored 504 runs in 21 innings, batting in the middle order, which is the second-most by any batter since the 2020 T20 World Cup.
One of the reasons for India's dominance in the shortest format has been the performance of Renuka Singh in the powerplay. The right-arm pacer was recently rewarded for her consistent show at the international level with the ICC Emerging Player of the year.
The 26-year-old scalped 16 wickets in 25 innings at a strike rate of 21.4 in the powerplay, which is the second-best among all the bowlers since October 2021.
Here are the Top 10 Criclytics projections
Probable XIs:
Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana /Harleen Deol, Devika Vaidya, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Radha Yadav
Pakistan XI: Bismah Maroof (Captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Nashra Sandhu
