Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, India vs New Zealand – Match Preview and result prediction

The time has come for India to take centre stage in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in UAE. As India readies to open their campaign against New Zealand in their tournament opener on Friday (October 6) in the second game of the doubleheader in Dubai, we look at the match preview and result prediction of the marquee T20 WC clash.

Match Preview

The Indian women’s cricket team has come close to realizing their dream of lifting the T20 World Cup earlier but failed in their efforts. To ignite the willingness to chase history, the already upbeat Indian squad needs to begin the tournament on a high, and what better than beating New Zealand in their opener?

Though they will have their challenges lined up, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will depend on their batting and bowling openers, respectively, to get the job done, or at least half of it, by beginning well.

Outside of the clear picks in the players to watch out for in star openers, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Varma, Jemimah Rodrigues will hog all the limelight. Considering the star-studded batting line-up that would include keeper-batter Richa Gosh, India has a stronger chance of pacing innings anytime in the game.

Much like their batting attack, the Indian women’s team bowling line-up is as lethal. With seasoned campaigners Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh alongside star bowler Radha Yadav, India can challenge any batting side in this tournament.

Though New Zealand’s past five results have all resulted in losses, while India has won four of the past five contested matches, the White Ferns still cannot be discounted for what they bring to the table. In the likes of Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, and Fran Jonas, the New Zealand women's team has some top players lined up in the XI.

The Indian women’s team will enter the contest as hot favourites.

Predicted Playing XIs –

India Women - Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Richa Ghosh(wk), Shreyanka Patil, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav and Renuka Singh

New Zealand Women - Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(wk), Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold and Rosemary Mair