Women’s World T20 2018, 2nd Semi-Final: India vs England – Dream11 Fantasy Tips

India and England, who faced off in the final of the last year’s Women’s World Cup, will lock horns once again in a knockout game at the ICC event. India, who made it to the semis in 2009 and 2010 editions of the Women’s World T20, crashed out in the group stage in the next three editions. They will be eyeing a spot in their maiden World T20 final while they face England, who are hoping to regain the title after nine years.

England won the title in the inaugural edition and lost to Australia in the finals of 2012 and 2014. They lost to the Windies in the previous game due to some sloppy work in the field towards the end. India, on the other hand, have won each of their last seven T20I matches which is their longest winning streak in this format. They won the recent T20I meeting against England after losing eight in a row.

India will bring back Mithali Raj into their playing XI irrespective of her batting position. There are chances that India will play an all spin-attack if the conditions favour the spinners. Anuja Patil could stay in the XI in place of Dayalan Hemalatha or Arundhati Reddy. Ekta Bisht could make her first appearance in this tournament if India reckon they need her experience ahead of Radha Yadav.

Match Details:

The second semi-final of the Women’s World T20 2018 will be played between India and England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

The match starts at 8:00 AM local time (12:00 AM GMT) (5:30 AM IST – Next Day).

Last five completed T20I matches:

India: W, W, W, W, W.

England: L, W, W, W, W.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua will be hosting only the knockout matches of the tournament. During the group stage, St Lucia turned out to be a low venue while Guyana was slightly better for the batters. It is not easy to judge the pitch here in Antigua which hosted only two Women’s T20Is that too in 2012. A total of 400 runs were scored across four innings in those two games.

The last time this venue hosted Men’s T20 games was back in 2014. Six of the last eight T20 games played at this venue between 2013 and 2014 were won by chasing side with 5+ wickets margin. This surely gives hope to the teams that prefer to chase.

Squads:

India:

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj, Jemimah Rodrigues, Veda Krishnamurthy, Deepti Sharma, Taniya Bhatia, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Anuja Patil, Ekta Bisht, Dayalan Hemalatha, Mansi Joshi, Arundhati Reddy, Devika Vaidya.

England:

Heather Knight (C), Fran Wilson, Sophia Dunkley Brown, Sophie Ecclestone, Natasha Farrant, Kirstie Gordon, Jenny Gunn, Danielle Hazell, Amy Ellen Jones, Natalie Sciver, Linsey Smith, Anya Shrubsole, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt, Tammy Beaumont.

Probable XI:

India:

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Taniya Bhatia, Mithali Raj, Jemimah Rodrigues, Veda Krishnamurthy, Anuja Patil, Dayalan Hemalatha/Arundhati Reddy, Deepti Sharma, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav.

England:

Heather Knight (C), Danielle Wyatt, Tammy Beaumont, Natalie Sciver, Amy Ellen Jones, Lauren Winfield, Sophia Dunkley Brown, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, Danielle Hazell, Kirstie Gordon.

Power Picks:

Taniya Bhatia has made at least two stumpings in all the four games in Group Stage. If she opens the batting, it will be an added bonus. Anuja Patil’s presence in the XI will help India as she can solve their crisis of scoring towards the end of the innings.

Best Playing XI:

Taniya Bhatia, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver, Harmanpreet Kaur, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav, Anuja Patil, Sophie Ecclestone, Kirstie Gordon.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Smriti Mandhana has a hang of batting against the English bowlers. She got used of playing them during the Kia Super League as well. Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur must be the first choice for the multiplier options. Natalie Sciver is also a good choice as she bats at No.3 and bowls four overs. Danielle Wyatt is due a big knock and India could face her wrath in the big game.

Expert Advice:

India’s batting order has been one of the hot topics in the tournament. Mithali, who was supposed to bat at No.6 against New Zealand, opened the innings against Ireland and Pakistan. She was rested from the game against Australia. India might follow the plan of fielding a power-packed top-order against a team like England.

Probable Winners:

India have a really good chance of qualifying for their first Women’s World T20 final if the conditions assist spinners.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

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