(Cricket news) After a disappointing 4-1 series loss at home against Australia, India now gear up for a tri series against West Indies and South Africa. The series will be played in South Africa which is also where the T20 World Cup is being held. This is a brilliant opportunity for India women to get accustomed to the conditions in order to enter the World Cup in the best possible shape. Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh are unavailable for the series as they are playing the under 19 World Cup but the duo will be back for the T20 World Cup. The first match will be against South Africa at the Buffalo Park in east London. 

India women’s possible playing XI:

Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Anjali Sarvani, Renuka Singh Thakur

Bench: Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Meghna Singh, Shushma Verma, Amanjot Kaur, Sabbhineni Meghana, Sneh Rana, Shikha Pandey

Jemimah Rodrigues usually plays one down for India Women but opening is her best position and in Shafali Verma’s absence she is likely to do that. Shikha Pandey’s return caused quite some excitement but she may not be given a game straight away because the team is likely to give Anjali Sarvani more chances. Richa Ghosh’s absence gives Yastika Bhatia an opportunity. 

South Africa possible playing XI:

Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Bench

Ayabonga Khaka, Delmi Tucker, Tumi Sekhukhune, Lara Goodall, Annerie Dercksen, Tebogo Macheke

South Africa have an incredible pace attack with Shabnim Ismail leading the line. The Proteas will be looking to make best use of their home advantage. Skipper Sune Luus will be the key batter for her side and it is the wicket that India Women have to get. Marzanne Kapp’s will also be very important with both bat and ball.

Also read: India win close encounter by 12 runs thanks to Shubman Gill’s double ton