Women’s World Cup: India face do or die situation against South Africa

(Cricket news) The 2022 Women's World Cup is about to reach its climax. Australia and South Africa have qualified for the semi finals. England, India, West Indies and New Zealand are in contention for the last two spots. England need to win their last game against Bangladesh to qualify while New Zealand need both England and India to lose by a large margin which is very unlikely. India needed a win in their last match against South Africa to seal the semi final spot. If India lose the match then West Indies will qualify instead while a no result will also work in India's favour. 

India's possible playing XI:

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

Bench: Deepti Sharma, Poonam Yadav, Taniya Bhatia, Renuka Singh

India is likely to call back Meghna Singh in place of Poonam Yadav to go back to the seam trio. Other than that there is no real reason to make any changes in the side. This time around Harmanpreet Kaur could be asked to bowl a few overs as the 6th bowler.

South Africa possible playing XI:

Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus (c), Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Trisha Chetty (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Tumi Sekhukhune

Bench: Lara Goodall, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Sinalo Jafta, Masabata Klaas

South are expected to field an unchanged XI even though their qualification is already secured. Marizanne Kapp is having an amazing tournament in both departments. Laura Wolvaardt will be the prized scalp as far as India are concerned. The seam attack of Shabnim Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka is what the Indian batters need to be careful about.

India have had a rollercoaster of a tournament with huge wins and losses alike. A qualification for the semi final will be great for the side but failure to do so will raise a lot of questions. This will be India's first match in Christchurch which will be a challenge in itself. The match could also be the last time Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami are seen donning the blue jersey.

Also read: Takeaways from Australia's legendary Test series win in Pakistan

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