A dominant India will have sights set on an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series when they take on a hosts Bangladesh in the third women's T20 International in Sylhet on Thursday. (More Cricket News)
The bowling unit has been functioning cohesively, having restricted Bangladesh to modest totals with spinners Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, and Shreyanka Patil being economical.
In the pace department, Renuka Singh Thakur has starred with the ball in the opener while Pooja Vastrakar has also been handy.
Dayalan Hemalatha, making her return to international cricket after an absence of nearly 17 months, displayed her explosive batting during the powerplay in the last game, crafting an unbeaten 24-ball 41.
The likes of Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Richa Ghosh have got runs under their belt. However, star opener Smriti Mandhana would hope to find form.
India have relied on a collective team effort throughout this series and they will be seeking more of the same in the remaining games.
The series assumes more importance as the T20 World Cup is to be held in Bangladesh later this year.
The hosts, on the other hand, will seek improvement in all three fronts. Their batters have not been able to get big totals, while the bowlers also haven't enjoyed good outing and the fielding has also been found wanting.
Weather Report:
Bangladesh, one of the worst affected countries by climate change's adverse effects, consistently witnessed above 40 degrees Celsius for most of April. Meteorologists have already termed the period the longest heatwave in the country's history, and alarmingly, May forecast predicts extreme temperatures to persist.
Squads:
India: Smriti Mandhana, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, S Sajana, Shafali Verma, Shreyanka Patil, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Asha Sobhana, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Richa Ghosh, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Saika Ishaque.
Bangladesh: Murshida Khatun, Rubya Haider, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Shorifa Khatun, Nigar Sultana (c&wk), Dilara Akter, Nahida Akter, Sultana Khatun, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Fariha Trisna, Habiba Islam.
Match starts 3:30pm IST.
