Trailblazers will start their Indian Women’s T20 2020 campaign with the Thursday clash against last season’s runner-up Velocity.
Velocity will try to get two points from this game to book their place in the final, while Mandhana’s Trailblazers would avoid the last season’s performance.
Match Timings: Nov 05, 3:30 PM (IST)
Team Preview
In the second game of Indian Women’s T20 2020, Trailblazers and Velocity face each other in Sharjah. Trailblazers failed to book their spot in the final due to the weak NRR. In the opening game, they defeated eventual winner Supernovas by 2 runs and lost the second game against Velocity.
For Trailblazers, West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor will not be available. New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates who opened for Mandhana’s side last year, would be missing out due to her participation in the Australia Women’s T20. Harleen Deol might be promoted up in the order after her excellent performance in 2019's edition. They have also included Salma Khatun, who had good numbers for Bangladesh in recent years. Sophie Ecclestone and Deandra Dottin will be seen as overseas players. Mandhana can even try Dottin in the top-order. The West Indian player scored 185 runs in the last England tour with scoring two half-centuries.
Meanwhile, Velocity has top-quality players, and their experience can help them to perform better in UAE's conditions. Mithali and Veda both have been integral parts of the Indian batting unit. They also have a young talent in the name of Shefali Verma, who scored the fastest half-century last year. From England, they recalled English player Danielle Wyatt who has been pretty consistent, scoring two half-centuries in the previous 50-overs domestic tournament.
Both sides met once in 2019’s tournament when Velocity knocked out the Trailblazers with a 7-wickets victory in Jaipur. Danielle Wyatt scored fine 46 off 35 balls, and Shefali contributed 34 to guide Velocity to the final. Trailblazers would avoid any NRR issue this time to start the tournament on a positive note.
Pitch Report
Sharjah’s track is good for batting, but we have seen little help to spinners in the last few matches. It’s a day game, and without any dew, batting would be challenging in the first half. Chasing would be the right call after winning the toss.
Possible XI
Trailblazers
Smriti Mandhana (c), Deandra Dottin, Richa Ghosh (wk), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Dayalan Hemalatha, Nattakan Chantam, Salma Khatun, Sophie Ecclestone, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami
Velocity
Shafali Verma, Danielle Wyatt, Mithali Raj (c), Veda Krishnamurthy, Sushma Verma (wk), Sune Luus, Shikha Pandey, Sushree Dibyadarshini, Ekta Bisht, Leigh Kasperek, Jahanara Alam
Key Players
Velocity
Shefali Verma
WT20 2020 – M: 5, Runs: 163, Avg: 32.60
Deandra Dottin
On England tour, 2020 – M: 5, Runs: 185, Avg: 37
Trailblazers
Smriti Mandhana
Last edition: 90 (67), 10 (10)
Harleen Deol
Last edition: 36 (44), 43 (40)
