Ind Women vs NZ Women, 1st T20: Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI Updates & Fantasy Cricket Tips - February 6th, 2019

After an outstanding series win over hosts New Zealand, Team India women now face the Kiwis in the shortest format of them all. The first T20 is set to take place on Wednesday, and the excitement levels are bound to increase even further.

The last time these two countries faced each other in a T20 was in the Women's T20 World Cup curtain-raiser which saw Harmanpreet Kaur slam an unbeaten century.

The ODI series saw the Indian women come up trumps courtesy of Smriti Mandhana and Poonam Yadav. With the Kiwis eager to settle the score against the confident visitors, this match is sure to be a thrilling encounter.

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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.

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Playing XI Updates

NZ Women:

After a tough series loss in the ODI format, Amy Satterthwaite would want to take inspiration from their victory in the third ODI as they look to strike first in the T20 series. Amelia Kerr would need to step up along with Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine if the hosts are to turn their fortunes around.

Leigh Kasperek was impressive in the ODIs, and will be key to their prospects of overcoming a formidable India side.

Possible XI: Bates, Martin, Devine, Satterthwaite (c), Kerr, Mair, Kasperek, Bezuidenhout (wk), Jensen, Rowe and Tahuhu.

India Women:

Harmanpreet Kaur takes up the captain's mantle for the T20 squad, which has a few news faces. Arundhati Reddy should take the new ball for India, and Poonam Yadav's quota of four overs will again be crucial.

If the T20 World Cup was any indication, Mithali Raj could be demoted to the bench with Taniya Bhatia opening the batting and Jemimah Rodrigues slotting in at number three.

Possible XI: Mandhana, Bhatia (wk), Rodrigues, Kaur (c), Patil, Hemalatha, Pandey, Sharma, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav, Reddy.

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Fantasy tips and suggestions

Wicket-keeper: Both Katey Martin and Taniya Bhatia are slated to bat at the top of the order, making either of them a good option to go with. Martin has played well for NZ over the last year and can be expected to put in a good performance on Wednesday.

Batters: Two out of Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur are ideal for your fantasy sides, with Suzie Bates and Amy Satterthwaite being crucial to the cause. Bates is the top ranked T20 batter in the world and her experience should shine through against a good Indian bowling attack.

All-rounders: Amelia Kerr is arguably the best young prospect in the world with her canny leg-breaks. Her batting has also come to the fore of late and she should be one of the first selections, along with Deepti Sharma.

Bowlers: Poonam Yadav and Leigh Kasperek are must-haves in the team. Their ability in the shorter format is well-known, and could result in a good number of points being earned with their performances.

The likes of Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey and Hannah Rowe would also be handy options to go for.

Captain: Smriti Mandhana was the catalyst behind India's historic ODI series win against the Kiwis. Her performances in the recently concluded WBBL and India have seen her start being counted among the very best in the business, making her one of the best choices for captain along with Kaur and Bates.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: Taniya Bhatia (WK), Amy Satterthwaite, Suzie Bates, Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Amelia Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Leigh Kasperek, Poonam Yadav and Shikha Pandey. Captain: Smriti Mandhana.

Fantasy Suggestion #2: Katey Martin, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, Deepti Sharma, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Leigh Kasperek and Lea Tahuhu. Captain: Suzie Bates