Two of the most dominant sides in Group two, India and England, are set to lock horns for their third league match of the T20 World Cup at St George's Park in Gqeberha with an aim to top the table and seal their place in the semi-final of the tournament.
The two sides have been known to produce some riveting games, and the last time these two sides clashed in a series, England registered a 3-0 win at home.
Overall, the two teams have played each other on 20 occasions, with India managing to win only seven games and have a win percentage of 26.9, their second-worst against any opposition.
Ground details
In the four innings played in Port Elizabeth, runs scoring has been very difficult, and the average run scored at this venue is around 110 runs. None of the teams who have batted first in the two matches managed to win.
Out of the 17 wickets to fall in the two games, it has been even-stevens as the pacers have scalped nine wickets compared to eight by the spinners.
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: Shafali Verma (Captain), Sophie Ecclestone (vice-captain)
For grand leagues: Deepti Sharma (Captain), Alice Capsey (vice-captain)
Stats that matter
With Smriti Mandhana returning from injury and looking a bit rusty, the onus of the side will rely on Shafali Verma. The right-handed batter is the second-leading run-scorer since the last edition of the World Cup, with 805 runs at an average of 23.67 and a strike rate of 127.8.
In England's last game against Ireland, Alice Capsey smashed a half-century off 21 deliveries, the fastest for a batter in women's T20I donning the England jersey. The youngster will hold the key for the side in this crucial clash and aim to continue her sublime form in this mega event.
Sarah Glenn has been brilliant for the England side since the T20 World Cup Down Under and has scalped 37 wickets at an average of 18, forging a lethal partnership with Sophie Ecclestone in the middle overs.
Grand League Punts
The first Indian to pick 100 wickets across the men's and women's teams, Deepti Sharma will be the player to help you gain maximum points with her all-around abilities.
The off-spinner is the leading wicket-taker with 47 wickets since the last T20 World Cup, along with her 361 runs in 23 innings, the most by a batter at number six or lower.
In T20Is since the 2020 World Cup, Sophie Ecclestone is the second bowler to scalp the most wickets, with 42 wickets at an average of 15.8.
Katherine Brunt, one of England's mainstays in the bowling unit, will be a go-to person as the right-arm pacer has 23 wickets against India, the most for her against any opposition.
Here are the Top 10 Criclytics projections
Probable XIs:
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Devika Vaidya, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Radha Yadav
England: Sophia Dunkley, Danielle Wyatt, Alice Capsey, Natalie Sciver, Heather Knight (Captain), Amy Jones (wk), Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell.