(Cricket news) The 2022 Women's World Cup group stage is about to reach its climax. As of this moment Australia are the only team that have secured their qualification. South Africa on the other hand are almost guaranteed to make it to the semis. The other two places are a 4 horse race between New Zealand, India, England and West Indies. Bangladesh and Pakistan also have an outside chance of qualification.

As far as India are concerned they need to win both their games and keep their Net Run Rate intact. India has the 2nd best NRR after Australia and they need to keep it that way as it is very likely that the 4th place team is decided by it.  A big victory over Bangladesh will be a huge result for the Women in blue.

India's Possible Playing XI:

Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia, Mithali Raj(c), Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Jhulan Goswami, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

Bench: Shafali Verma, Poonam Yadav, Taniya Bhatia, Renuka Singh

In the first 4 games India went with 5 pure batters, 3 all-rounders and 3 bowlers. In the last match against Australia, Mithali Raj decided to drop all-rounder Deepti Sharma for opener Shafali Verma. The plus side was that the batting did well as Yastika Bhatia looked more comfortable in her usual one down position and even Mithali Raj broke her drought by scoring a half century. The down side was that the women in blue were a bowler short which may have ultimately cost them the game. India may go back to their previous combination which would mean that Shefali Verma will once again be axed. 

Bangladesh Possible Playing XI:
Shamima Sultana (wk), Sharmin Akhter, Fargana Hoque, Nigar Sultana (c), Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Salma Khatun, Nahida Akter, Jahanara Alam, Fariha Trisna

Bench: Lata Mondal, Suraiya Azmin, Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Shanjida Akter

Skipper Nigar Sultana will have a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. Seamer Jahanara Alam will lead the bowling against the mighty Indian batting line-up. Bangladesh need to be good with the bowl throughout as India have batting till number 8 and even Jhulan Goswami at 9 can contribute with the willow.

India's last group game against South Africa will have a lot of importance but it wouldn't matter if India lose against Bangladesh. The women in blue need a win and an emphatic one to keep their chances of making the Semi finals alive. Pakistan's win over the West Indies have increased their chances but they still need to win the remaining two matches. 
 

Also read: Pakistan stun West Indies by 8 wickets in rain-hit match to record first win in ICC Women's WC