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Mandhana To Open, Harmanpreet In Middle Order; India Women's Probable XI For 1st ODI Vs New Zealand

Debashis Sarangi

Harmanpreet and Mandhana will be India's key players [Source: @spdebdip/X]Harmanpreet and Mandhana will be India's key players [Source: @spdebdip/X]

On Thursday, India Women will cross swords against New Zealand Women in the first ODI of the three-match series. The much-anticipated encounter will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India Women recently suffered a shambolic group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup in the UAE. Despite being tagged as one of the hot favourites, India had a disastrous start to the tournament, losing their tournament opener. Interestingly, the White Ferns emerged as their nemesis, handing them a 58-run defeat. 

So, this home series gives India Women a golden opportunity to get their revenge by swatting aside the visiting side. As the hosts gear up for a fascinating battle, let's see what could be their playing XI for the first ODI in Ahmedabad. 

Mandhana, Harmanpreet To Form India's Batting Core

In all likelihood, stylish southpaw Smriti Mandhana will open the batting alongside Shafali Verma. While Mandhana will be India Women's anchor at the top order, Shafali will play the aggressor's role. Wicketkeeper batter Yastika Bhatia might be slotted at number three, as she can is a force to reckon with the bat at top order. 

Jemimah Rodrigues will bat in the middle order alongside skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. These two batters dominate pace and spin and can play a pivotal role for the home side. Harmanpreet, in particular, will aim to capitalise on her red-hot recent form. 

Deepti Sharma To Spearhead India's Bowling Unit Alongside Renuka Thakur

Experienced cricketer Deepti Sharma will be India Women's premier all-rounder in this match. Besides outfoxing the New Zealand batters with her guile, Deepti can add vital runs to India Women's tally. Dayalan Hemalatha could be the other specialist batter in the playing XI, with India emphasising batting depth against the White Ferns. 

Meanwhile, Renuka Singh Thakur will be India Women's lead seamer alongside Arundhati Reddy. In the recently held T20 World Cup, Renuka and Arundhati were India's most successful bowlers, scalping seven wickets. Radha Yadav will likely fill the remaining slot and outfox the visitors with her left-arm off-spin. 

India Women's Probable Playing XI vs New Zealand Women

Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Dayalan Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Shreyanka Patil, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav