India are still searching for their first win on New Zealand tour. Mithali Raj-led India have put up big scores in the previous two ODIs but have not been able to defend the total. Amelia Kerr has been a major threat for India in the ODI series and even dismissing her has not guaranteed an Indian win on Kiwi soil.
One major positive for India is that Smriti Mandhana will be back into the side. Mandhana has missed the only T20I and three ODIs on the tour so far. However, in her absence, India have done fairly well in the batting department posting scores above 270 in the previous two games. With series already lost, it is also possible that an out-of-form Harmanpreet Kaur makes way for Sabbhineni Meghana, who has impressed so far in her debut series. Harmanpreet has been under fire of late over her inability to score runs since return from injury.
India will need to work on getting wickets in the middle overs and their death bowling which has been far from impressive so far. Even an experienced Jhulan Goswami could not stop the White Ferns from dominating run chases in their backyard. It will be interesting to see what changes India make in the bowling department or tactics to tackle the Kiwi middle-order.
Rain is expected to play spoilsport at John Davies Oval, Queenstown. So far, we have seen clear skies in Queenstown but there is a possibility that Duckworth-Lewis Stern (DLS) method will come into play on February 22.
India desperately need a win in their bag ahead of World Cup 2022 starting next month. India will begin their World Cup campaign with a high-voltage contest against Pakistan. Mithali-led India need some confidence going into the clash against the arch-rivals.
Squads
New Zealand Women: Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Amelia Kerr, Amy Satterthwaite, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Katey Martin (wk), Hayley Jensen, Lea Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Lauren Down, Fran Jonas, Frances Mackay, Rosemary Mair
India Women: Sabbhineni Meghana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Mithali Raj (c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Jhulan Goswami, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Smriti Mandhana, Meghna Singh, Taniya Bhatia, Renuka Singh, Sneh Rana
