India vs Sri Lanka Match Prediction: Who will win today's Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match?
Australia are unbeaten. New Zealand, Pakistan, and India are level on points, with the Women in Blue having the worst net run rate among the trio. Sri Lanka, whom India will face on Wednesday, October 9, are dead last in Group A.
So what that means is obvious. India need to win, and win big, if they are to keep their semifinal hopes alive. Their last Group A game will be against Australia, a massive challenge for Harmanpret Kaur and company. If they fail to secure two points against Sri Lanka, it could all be over unexpectedly early.
Unfortunately for India, Sri Lanka know a thing or two about beating them in the recent past. The Asia Cup final saw a historic run-chase led by Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama, which broke a long run of defeats to their northern neighbors for the Lankans.
But India will take heart from their superior head-to-head record and their ability to bounce back from dire situations. The fact that Sri Lanka haven't played to their potential and are last in the group will make the Women in Blue feel slightly better as well.
Speaking of Harmanpreet, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana expressed optimism about the skipper being fit for the Sri Lanka clash after tweaking her neck towards the end of the run-chase against Pakistan. However, the Indian captain didn't participate in a training session on the eve of the match, and there are still concerns over whether she will be at her best. Pooja Vastrakar is another injury concern for India.
Nevertheless, India and Sri Lanka have enough talent in their ranks to worry about the players who will take to the field instead of players who won't. A tantalizing contest beckons, with much at stake for both sides.
2024 Women's T20 World Cup: India and Sri Lanka staring at the door
India's concerns lie in the batting department. While Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have looked off-color at the top of the order, there isn't much depth to make up for their poor powerplay showings. Initially insisting that they'll maintain consistency in the No. 3 role, the Women in Blue have already shuffled between Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues.
The same could be said for Sri Lanka, whose star batters haven't come to the party so far at the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. Batting has been difficult in the UAE, and things won't get much easier for the island nation in Dubai, where they will play their first game.
As far as the bowling departments go, not much can be said. Both teams have been decent if unspectacular, and someone needs to put their hand up and contribute to the team's cause.
India and Sri Lanka enter a contest close to level for arguably the first time in history, making this one tough to call. The former look slightly better on paper, although this game could go either way.
Prediction: India to win Match 12 of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup.