IND-W vs SA-W Live, Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Warm-up: India 26/2 (5); Shafali, Harmanpreet fall early vs South Africa

Jemimah joins Smriti at the crease. Chloe Tryon for her second over. Six runs came in that over with the Indian duo running hard between the wickets. 

Khaka is back; and she gets Harmanpreet off the first ball of the over. Harmanpreet is too early for the drive and ends up chipping it straight to the cover fielder. 

Three overs and three different bowlers to start with for South Africa. Tumi Sekhukhune is bowling the third over. Harmanpreet gets India’s first boundary as she flicks the ball towards fine leg for four. 

India begins slow after that early jolt of Shafali. Two overs gone and no boundary yet. 

Shafali Varma is out for a two-ball duck! Ayabonga Khaka with the wicket as she cleans up the Indian opener in the first over itself. Two runs came in that over with Harmanpreet Kaur, no.3, and Smriti Mandhana at crease. 

When India played England and Australia last winter, head coach Amol Muzumdar, fresh in the role, saw the potential for Richa beyond her finishing capability. He envisioned her as a more versatile player and gave her the number 3 slot in ODIs, hoping she could build larger and more impactful innings.

Here’s more about Richa Ghosh and her learning the finisher’s role on the job

Richa Ghosh Interview: India’s Rising Finisher Eyes Glory at the Women’s T20 World Cup - Sportstar

On the brink of turning 21, Richa is already one of India’s trump cards ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates — evidence of her immense talent and meteoric rise.

South Africa Women - Anneke Bosch, Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Mieke De Ridder, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Sune Luus (C), Ayabonga Khaka, Ayanda Hlubi, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune.

India Women - Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Dayalan Hemalatha, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia, Pooja Vastrakar, Deepti Sharma, Sajana Sajeevan, Arundhati Reddy, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shreyanka Patil.

South Africa has won the toss and opts to bowl. 

Want to understand how the tournament will be played? Here’s guide about the format. 

Women’s T20 World Cup tournament format explained

After the 20 group stage matches, the top two teams from each group will then advance to the semifinals which will be played on October 17 and 18 in Dubai and Sharjah respectively.

South Africa lost its first practice game. It played against New Zealand and got bowled out for 92. Out of 10, seven of its wickets fell to spin - something South Africa would want to rectify in today’s game. 

Jemimah Rodrigues’ fifty and a clinical bowling performance were the highlights of India’s first practice game against West Indies. India scored 141/8 and then restricted its opponents to 121/8. 

Did you know this will be the first time top-ranked women’s teams will be playing in Dubai? 

Here’s a bit of the Dubai and Sharjah - the two venues of the World Cup

Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Venues stats and toss factor

The women’s T20 World Cup 2024 matches will be held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium - two venues that have only hosted a total of 15 women T20Is so far.

Wondering how all the teams have built up to the tournament? We have got out covered! 

Here’s Lavanya with details about everything you need to know. 

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Preview: Squads analysis, form guide and lowdown on conditions

The upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup has seen contrasting build-ups for the participating teams, with India gearing up to bid for its maiden ICC trophy.

While the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be streamed live on the Disney+Hotstar app and website, the warm-up match between India Women and South Africa Women will not be live streamed in India nor it will be on telecast. 

Follow Sportstar to get live updates. 

Welcome to the live coverage of India’s second warm-up match ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Today the women in blue will take on South Africa in Dubai. Stay tuned for the live updates.