Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium Pitch Report For IND-W vs IRE-W 1st ODI 

Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium Pitch Report [Source: @AJpadhi/x.com]Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium Pitch Report [Source: @AJpadhi/x.com]

India Women (IND-W) are all set to take on Ireland Women (IRE-W) in the first game of their three-match series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Friday, January 10.

The Women in Blue are coming into this series on the back of a dominant 3-0 win over West Indies Women in their recent ODI series. Meanwhile, Ireland will be looking to turn things around after a tough ODI series in Bangladesh late last year.

With regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and star pacer Renuka Singh rested, Smriti Mandhana will be leading the Indian side. On the other hand, Ireland will aim to bring their A-game and make the most of their opportunities against a strong Indian unit.

Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium Stats And Records

Criterion Data
Data
Matches Played4
Matches Won Batting 1st4
Matches Won Bowling 1st0
Average 1st Innings Score321
Average 2nd Innings Score289


Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium Pitch Report: Is It Batting Or Bowling Friendly?

The Rajkot surface is going to assist batters. The Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot has always been known for its flat, hard surface, making it a paradise for batters. Runs come thick and fast here, with an average first-innings score of 321 in ODIs. Bowlers, especially pacers, might find it tough early on, as there’s not much help for them. 

However, spinners could have a role to play as the game progresses. They’ll get some turn and bounce, which might help slow things down. Historically, teams batting first have had the upper hand, winning all four ODIs played here. Toss will play a big role, and whoever wins it might want to bat first and put up a big total.

Players To Watch Out For At Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium

Smriti Mandhana

  • India’s stand-in captain, Smriti Mandhana is the backbone of their batting lineup. She’s classy, consistent, and capable of tearing apart bowling attacks with her beautiful cover drives and fearless pull shots.
  • Smriti has been in sensational form lately having scored 465 runs in her last 10 matches at an average of 46.5 and a strike rate of 91.35. As the leader, she will be looking to lead from the front and give India a strong start. Her ability to anchor the innings while accelerating when needed makes her a key player to watch.

Orla Prendergast

  • Ireland’s Orla Prendergast is one of the most exciting players to watch. Known for her fearless batting, she’s the kind of player who doesn’t hesitate to take on bowlers, no matter their reputation.
  • Her aggressive style can change the course of a match in just a few overs. If India’s bowlers miss their lines, Prendergast will be ready to cash in with her powerful strokes. She’s young, full of energy, and ready to make her mark in this series.

Deepti Sharma

  • Deepti Sharma is India’s go-to player in pressure situations. With the ball, she’s a master at keeping things tight in the middle overs. In her last nine matches, she’s picked up 19 wickets at an economy of just 4.46.
  • Deepti’s knack for breaking crucial partnerships with her clever variations is her biggest strength. Add to that her ability to contribute with the bat, and she’s a complete package. India will be counting on her to make things difficult for Ireland.