South Africa Women vs India Women, RSAW Tri Series 2023, Today Match Prediction

rsaw vs indw Match Prediction & Analysis

India suffered a huge batting collapse in their first game against South Africa. It was Deepthi Sharma and Amanjot Kaur who led the visitors to a 147-run total.

Some very economical spells from Indian bowlers handed them a 27-run victory over South Africa Women. The star batters in the top order would be hoping for a comeback against South Africa women. Another collapse and India may not come out of it this time.

The reason is South Africa Women’s recent form. N Milaba has been the pick of bowlers for the Proteas. She finished with 1 for 7 against West Indies in her 4 overs as the opposition finished with 97-6 batting first.

Milaba was also the top bowler against India with 2 for 15. Another key bowler to watch out for is Masabata Klaas. Marizanne Kapp and skipper Sune Luus will be the key batters for South Africa against a strong Indian bowling attack.

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Women Preview

It will be up to the bowlers to get the hosts on top in this match. The opposition also comes here with a great variety in the bowling attack. As such, Sune Luus will be hoping the bowlers pose a tough challenge while being aware of her role with the bat.

The South Africa Women’s team has a decent-looking batting order. Unlike other Women’s teams, the Proteas aren’t dependent only on a few top-order players.

Laura Wolvaardt at the top is known for her scoring abilities and can be a key player to get the hosts to a good total in the powerplay. In the middle order, Kapp and Luus have a big responsibility to build partnerships.

The two are in good form. If these two fall in quick succession without making any big contributions, South Africa would be in deep trouble. The bowlers have been impressive so far. Milaba continued her brilliant run of form as she finished with 1 for 10 in the next game. 

And this time she was joined by Ayabonga Khaka who had figures of 1 for 11 from her 4 Overs. Khaka and Masabata Klaas will be the key bowlers alongside Milaba who would make a big impact.

South Africa Women Predicted Playing XI:

Laura Wolvaardt, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus (c), Chloe Tryon, Delmi Tucker, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

South Africa Women Actual Playing XI:

Tumi Sekhukhune, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Shabnim Ismail, Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta

India Women Preview

India have sent Rodrigues, Mandana's former opening partner, down to number 4 in the batting order. Wicket-keeper batter Yastika Bhatia now opens alongside the southpaw star. Though Bhatia hasn’t played a big knock so far, she seems to be doing a decent job at the top.

The pitch isn’t great for batting and one cannot expect the openers to score at 9 or 10 an over in the powerplay. As such, Bhatia’s cautious approach coupled with Mandhana’s attacking cricket could work wonders for India.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is known for her big-hitting skills and has played many such knocks over the years. She scored a fifty in her last outing at number 4 helping India on their way to 167 runs.

All-rounders Harleen Deol and Deepti Sharma also have a key role in this batting lineup. While Deol hasn’t been able to convert her starts, Sharma played a crucial knock against South Africa in the first game.

India have played Amanjot Kaur, a batter, quite low in the batting order. That is a good sign for the women in blue as it creates scope for a comeback after an early collapse. 

Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Deepti Sharma, and Radha Yadav will be key players in the bowling attack.

India Women Predicted Playing XI:

Yastika Bhatia (wk), Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Devika Vaidya, Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

India Women Actual Playing XI:

Smriti Mandhana, Devika Vaidya, Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Yastika Bhatia, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Harmanpreet Kaur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

Batting hasn’t been easy on this pitch. Even the fastest fifty of the tri-series from Harmanpreet Kaur had no sixes and only fours. Batters can’t get going right away and need to stay on the crease longer before they can time the ball perfectly. The bowlers will have a great outing on this pitch. Scattered showers are expected on the match day with a high of 28 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

The average 1st innings score at this venue in Women’s T20Is is 143 runs. This figure isn’t really high in the Men’s T20 format either. A 150+ score batting first would be a decent total at this venue. Given the bowling attack of both teams, it looks quite challenging to put on a competitive total at this venue. 

Toss: To Bat

3 of the 4 matches in this tri-series went in favour of the team batting first. The only successful run chase was from South Africa chasing 98 runs against the Windies. Both India and South Africa have successfully defended a 140+ total at this venue. Both captains would prefer to bat first knowing the bowlers have an advantage on this pitch.