India battle for survival against high-flying South Africa

One of the most riveting World Cups in the history of women’s cricket, the eight teams at the extravaganza provided the fans plenty of excitement whilst creating an impact on millions of young kids. 

After 26 games filled with ebbs and flows, we are down to the final match of the league stage, and probably the biggest one to date as India and South Africa lock horns at the Hagley Oval in a day and night encounter, with the Women in Blue vying for a place in the semi-finals of the tournament.

While the Proteas have already sealed their place in the knock stage of the iconic event, the Indian team will set foot at the venue in this high-voltage clash to keep their hopes alive of winning the elusive title.

The finalists of the 2017 edition have blown hot and cold in the competition and will need their batting to stand up against the fiery blowing attack of the South African side.

The Women in Blue have lost 10 wickets in the powerplay at a ball per wicker ratio of 36, the worst among the eight teams in the competition.

With the likes of Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail and Ayanonga Khakq, South Africa boast a lethal bowling unit and will test the Indian top-order to the hilt. 

The onus of the side will rely heavily on the likes of Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur to shoulder the responsibility of the side in this must-win encounter. 

While they will be well supported by two of India’s in-form players in, Yastika Bhatia and Pooja Vastrakar, the fortunes of the side will rely on the experienced players in the team. 

The duo have been the standout performers for the Women in Blue in this edition of the World Cup and often helped them crawl out of challenging situations. 

In the past couple of games, Yastika walked in at number three and steadied the Indian innings amassing 176 runs in five innings at an average of 35.2, including two vital half-centuries. 

While she has been in prolific form at the top of the order, India have been benefited from the all-around display of Vastrakar and Sneh Rana down the order. The duo have steadied the innings on numerous occasions and ensured they give much-needed impetus in the back end of the innings. 

The 22-year old has ensured India have achieved an ideal balance in the playing XI by contributing immensely in all three facets of the game.

With 153 runs in six innings and 10 wickets under her belt, she is one of the finds in this edition of the competition. 

Laura Wolvaardt's impressive run in the World Cup 

One of the reasons for South Africa’s dominance in this mega event has been the sublime form of Laura Wolvaardt. The 22-year old has been the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 353 runs in six innings and will be the key player for the Proteas heading into the game. 

While they have already qualified for the semi-finals, the Sune Luus-led side would want to finish the league stage on a high and carry the momentum in the business end of the tournament.

The right-handed batter will face her toughest test as she will be up against Jhulan Goswami with the new ball. While the veteran pacer has been economical in the powerplay, the Women in Blue will need her to scalp early wickets and dent the opposition batting unit.

In the six innings played this far, India have managed to scalp only five wickets at an average ball per wicket ratio of 76, the worst among all the eight teams.

With lack of inroads provided by the new-ball bowlers, India have managed to pull things back courtesy of the spinners and the variations showcased by Vastrakar.

They have scalped 34 wickets in the middle-overs at balls per wicket ratio of 34.4, the best among all the teams and will rely on their slower bowlers to create inroads in this clash.

Can India shrug off the pressure and expectations in this must-win game? 

Over five years of hard work culminated into the result of a single game as India will step onto the venue with the fortunes of their campaign hanging by a thread. 

While they have faced hiccups and crumbled under pressure in the knockout stages of the world events, the Women in Blue will be desperate to win this virtual quarter-final to keep the hopes of millions of Indian fans across the world alive. 

The weather in Christchurch is also predicted to be sunny and conducive for an exciting game of cricket, and it promises to be a Sunday blockbuster featuring two fierce competitors in probably the biggest game of the league stage. 

Probable XI:

India: India: Mithali Raj (Captain), Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-captain), Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia, Shafali Verma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Jhulan Goswami, Pooja Vastrakar, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Sneh Rana

South Africa: Suné Luus (Captain), Chloe Tryon (vice-captain), Tazmin Brits, Trisha Chetty, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Lizelle Lee, Mignon du Preez, Tumi Sekhukhune, Laura Wolvaardt