India will kick off their Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022 campaign against Australia on Friday (July 29) at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. Both teams are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan and Barbados. Both teams will hope to start their campaign on a winning note as they aim for the prestigious gold medal.
India are fresh from a win against Sri Lanka. Led by the dynamic Harmanpreet Kaur, this side boast some serious talents in Shafali Verma and Pooja Vastrakar among many. Smriti Mandhana, vice-captain, will have to do the bulk of the scoring with the bat at the top. The Women in Blue will have to fire in unison to beat a top side like Australia.
The Aussies, on other hand, are one of the heavyweights going into CWG 2022. Led by Meg Lanning, Australia have some serious match-winners in their ranks, who can turn the head of the game single-handedly. Wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy prefers playing against India and will look to continue her dream run.
Match Details
Match 1: India vs Australia
Date & Time: 29th July at 4:30 PM IST and 12:00 PM Local
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Pitch Report
The wicket at Edgbaston is known to aid the batters. It will be a difficult surface for the bowlers to contain the flow of runs. A total of 150 will be a par score on this venue.
Predicted Playing XI
India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Renuka Singh.
Australia: Alyssa Healy (wk), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Rachael Haynes, Ashleigh Gardner, Nicola Carey, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Grace Harris.
India vs Australia – Fantasy Team Suggestions
Fantasy Team 1: Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning (c), Shafali Verma, Beth Mooney, Harmanpreet Kaur, Ashleigh Gardner, Deepti Sharma (vc), Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Alana King, Jess Jonassen.
Fantasy Team 2: Alyssa Healy, Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, Beth Mooney, Tahila McGrath, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Alana King (vc).
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