India vs West Indies Match Prediction: Who will win today's Women's T20 World Cup 2023 match?
Team India will play their second match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2023 against the West Indies in Cape Town on Wednesday, February 15.
Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. got their campaign off to a winning start against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, February 12. They were made to work for the win as Bismah Maroof's women posted a competitive total. Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh played superbly under pressure to take India over the line.
The West Indies, on the other hand, will enter this match on the back of a loss to England in their opening game. They posted 135/7 in their 20 overs, but Heather Knight and Co. comfortably chased down the target with more than five overs to spare.
India are clearly the in-form team coming into this game. West Indies have lost their last five matches in the T20I format. They also fell to two comprehensive defeats against the Women in Blue in a tri-series prior to the Women's T20 World Cup 2023.
Women's T20 World Cup 2023: Team India look to continue winning start
India might welcome the return of Smriti Mandhana for the game against the West Indies. The team's vice-captain missed the team's Women's T20 World Cup 2023 opener against Pakistan with a finger injury.
India's bowling coach confirmed that Mandhana got through the training sessions without any discomfort and expressed optimism at the side having her back in the playing XI. If she pulls up well, the left-hander is likely to replace Yastika Bhatia at the top of the order in a much-needed boost.
Jemimah and Richa are in good form, and young opener Shafali Verma made a notable contribution against Pakistan as well. The bowling unit seems to be in decent nick, even with some key players failing to channel their best in the last match.
As a result, India will be confident that they have the resources to pick up all 10 wickets once they start firing on all cylinders.
The Windies, on the other hand, are heavily dependent on captain Hayley Matthews to come up with complete all-round performances. They don't have the batting or bowling might to compete with the best T20I sides in the world.
Unless someone pulls off something extraordinary, it's tough to see them taking two points from this game.
Anything can happen in a game of cricket, but India are the clear favorites. They should be able to secure the win and keep up with England at the top of the Group 2 points table.
Prediction: India to beat West Indies in the Women's T20 World Cup 2023.