India Women vs New Zealand Women: Top players to watch out for in the World Cup clash

The India women team is all set to kick off their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign on Friday. The India Women vs New Zealand women clash will open the marquee event for the respective teams at the Dubai International Stadium. The White Ferns will venture in the World Cup edition after displaying a subpar run in the shortest format this season. Interestingly, India will be playing their first T20I in almost three months, following their loss in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka Women in July.

A look at the standings of India Women and New Zealand ahead of the T20 World Cup

Unlike the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, the women’s tournament will feature only 10 teams, divided into two groups. The India women's team is placed in Group A, alongside defending champions Australia Women, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. As part of their preparation, India played two warm-up matches ahead of the main event. Facing West Indies women and South Africa women, India women secured impressive victories in both encounters. New Zealand, on the other hand, won their initial fixture against South Africa before losing to England in their final warm-up match.

Despite their setback in the Asia Cup final, the India women's team had an impressive run and are regarded as one of the favorites to win the T20 World Cup trophy, along with Australia. New Zealand, however, will need to stage a turnaround in their form to be a contender for the World Cup. The White Ferns have managed to win only one out of the 13 T20Is they have played this year. With 10 consecutive defeats in their last T20I fixtures, New Zealand women endured their worst losing streak in the format this season. Moreover, the team arrives in the UAE following a 3-0 series whitewash against Australia Women.

India Women vs New Zealand Women: Top players to watch out for

Despite their recent struggles in T20 cricket, the White Ferns hold an advantage over the India women's team in head-to-head records. The two teams have faced each other in 13 T20Is, with New Zealand winning nine of them. Interestingly, in T20 World Cup encounters, the head-to-head record is even at 2-2. In their most recent T20 World Cup clash, India women claimed a victory by three runs in the 2022 edition at the MCG. Of their last five meetings, New Zealand have emerged victorious in four, including an 18-run win in their most recent match.

1. Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana is established as the top run-scorer for the India women's team in the shortest format of the game. Opening alongside young Shafali Verma, Mandhana shoulders much of the batting responsibility. The opener has amassed over 3,000 runs for the team across 135 T20I innings. During India’s last tournament, the Asia Cup, Smriti Mandhana finished as the second-highest run-scorer for the team, with 173 runs in four innings.

In the T20 World Cup, Mandhana, along with Shafali Verma, will be crucial to India's prospects. Verma ended the Asia Cup as India’s highest run-scorer, with 200 runs in five innings. Her aggressive playing style, combined with Mandhana’s seasoned approach, will be one of the key factors in the team's bid for the title.

2. Jemimah Rodrigues

Jemimah Rodrigues has emerged as a key performer for India, despite her inconsistent inclusion in the squad. The right-handed batter scored a half-century against West Indies women in the first warm-up game ahead of the main event. For the tournament, Rodrigues is expected to play in the middle order, as the Indian coach has confirmed that skipper Harmanpreet Kaur will take the No. 3 spot in the India Women vs. New Zealand Women clash. Jemimah is also the second-highest run-scorer for India against the White Ferns, having scored 201 runs in five innings at an average of 40.20. Given her form in the warm-up matches, Rodrigues is likely to play a pivotal role in the India Women vs. New Zealand Women encounter.

3. Amelia Kerr

Amelia Kerr is considered one of the most impactful all-rounders, not only for New Zealand but in women’s cricket as a whole. Despite New Zealand's struggles in their recent T20I series against Australia, Kerr provided a silver lining for the Kiwis with her performances. The all-rounder claimed five wickets in the series—the highest by any player in the bilateral encounter. The 23-year-old spinner is expected to play a significant role in the White Ferns' bid for victory, alongside captain Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates.