Women's World T20: India hand debut to Hemlatha and bat against New Zealand

India have handed debut to right-handed batswoman Dayalan Hemlatha and gone in with four spinning options in Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Deepti Sharma and captain Harmanpreet’s part-time off-spinners.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat first against world No. 2 New Zealand in their first Group B match at Guyana.

India have handed debut to right-handed batswoman Dayalan Hemlatha and gone in with four spinning options in Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Deepti Sharma and captain Harmanpreet’s part-time off-spinners.

The only medium pacer in the side is Arundhati Reddy. The strength for the Indian side though lies in their batting with the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues in it. They bat as deep as No.8.

“The wicket is looking good to bat on. It might slow down later. We are playing with four spinners and later on it might help. We have one medium pacer,” said Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

New Zealand women, on the other hand, boast of an experienced batting line-up. Suzie Bates, captain Amy Satterthwaite and Sophie Devine have the responsibility to steer the team home.

The bowling department will be led by Amelia Kerr, Lea Tahuhu

India Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana, Taniya Bhatia(w), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Dayalan Hemalatha, Mithali Raj, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav, Arundhati Reddy

New Zealand Women (Playing XI): Suzie Bates, Anna Peterson, Sophie Devine, Amy Satterthwaite(c), Katey Martin(w), Maddy Green, Leigh Kasperek, Jess Watkin, Hayley Jensen, Amelia Kerr, Lea Tahuhu