Ind Women vs NZ Women, 2nd T20: Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI Updates & Fantasy Cricket Tips - February 8th, 2019

Not even a Smriti Mandhana special could stop the Kiwi resurgence as the Indian middle order capitulated under brilliant spells from Lea Tahuhu and Amelia Kerr to concede the first match of the series.

The action now moves to Eden Park for the first match of the doubleheader on Friday where Harmanpreet Kaur and co will be looking to level the series against a fairly new look New Zealand women side.

With the Auckland pitch being as flat as they come in the world, another high-scoring match is on the cards for both teams to tussle upon. While the Kiwis aim for revenge for the lost ODI series, India will be hoping to keep the series alive and take it to the third and final T20 in Hamilton.

---

Squads to choose from:

New Zealand Women:

Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Amy Satterthwaite (c), Bernadine Bezuidenhout (wk), Katie Martin, Hayley Jensen, Amelia Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Leigh Kasperek, Lea Tahuhu, Frances Mackay, Rosemary Mair, Caitlin Gurrey.

India Women:

Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Taniya Bhatia (wk), Anuja Patil, Jemimah Rodrigues, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Ekta Bisht, Dayalan Hemalata, Shikha Pandey, Deepti Sharma, Mansi Joshi, Priya Punia.

---

Playing XI Updates:

New Zealand Women:

The likes of Frances Mackay, Caitlin Gurrey and Rosemary Mair played for the first time in New Zealand colours although none of them were able to put in a telling performance. All of them should retain their position in the squad as no team should look to disrupt a winning combination.

Sophie Devine put in a mature performance with the bat and stitched vital partnerships with Satterthwaite and Gurrey to guide them to a good score. The same is expected again on Friday with the lack of partnerships being their nemesis on both of their lost matches in the ODI series.

Possible XI: Bates, Devine, Gurrey, Satterthwaite (C), Martin(WK), Mackay, Kerr, Kasperek, Tahuhu, Mair and Rowe.

India Women:

Smriti Mandhana continued her brilliant form as she stroked a magnificent fifty to propel India on to the front foot. A middle order collapse saw India lose control of the great start Mandhana and Rodrigues provided. This could add more intrigue to the much-debated decision to leave out Mithali Raj from the first T20. She should return for the second match instead of Dayalan Hemalata while the rest of them should remain unchanged.

Possible XI: Priya, Mandhana, Rodrigues, Kaur(C), Mithali, Anuja, Bhatia(WK), Arundhati, Deepti, Poonam and Radha Yadav.

---

Fantasy Tips and Suggestions:

Wicket-keeper: Katey Martin is the ideal choice for wicket-keeper with her ability to play the big shots quite necessary on the flat pitch that is set to be offered for the match. Taniya Bhatia's batting position could be a put-off for many which adds further value to Katey Martin's inclusion.

Batters: Suzie Bates suffered a rare failure as she got out early to young Radha Yadav. She should be backed to come back strong in, along with Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues. Smriti Mandhana's form throughout the ODI series and the first T20 makes her selection irresistible. Either of Amy Satterthwaite or Caitlin Gurrey could be a handy pick.

All-rounders: Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr and Anuja Patil rank among the best all-rounders in the format and are great selections into your fantasy team. One of them could be dropped to facilitate a big name batter or bowler though.

Bowlers: Poonam Yadav was a tad expensive to her standards on Wednesday. She is a very good pick to have in your team with the promise of wickets and points fulfilled by her bowling more often than not. The likes of Radha Yadav, Lea Tahuhu and Rosemary Mair are also great options to rake in valuable points.

Captain: Suzie Bates and Smriti Mandhana are the more popular choices to go along with for all the right reasons. Both of them are as dangerous as anyone on their day and rank among the best in the format. Poonam Yadav and her leg-breaks could also prove to be the difference if chosen as captain.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: Katey Martin (WK), Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Anuja Patil, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Rosemary Mair. Captain: Suzie Bates

Fantasy Suggestion #2: Katey Martin (WK), Smriti Mandhana, Suzie Bates, Priya Punia, Amy Sattherthwaite, Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav, Lea Tahuhu. Captain: Smriti Mandhana