A win here for either second-placed India or fourth-ranked South Africa would give them a huge boost in terms of entering the semifinals. It\u2019s also the first time both teams are meeting in a Women\u2019s T20 World Cup game, with the game set to be played on a fresh wicket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After winning the toss, Harmanpreet, who\u2019s also become the first player to clock 200 T20I appearances and is also marking her 200th game as the Indian captain across all formats, said Prema comes in for Shreyanka Patil, who\u2019s ruled out after suffering a right ankle injury in the 95-run win over Netherlands at Headingley, while Arundhati replaces a rested Kranti Gaud.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it's a good pitch. If we bat first and put on a good total, that'll help us win the game. Have to spend some time in the middle. 200th game, it's been an amazing journey. Never thought I'll come this far. God has been kind, thankful to Him. Thanks to friends, family, BCCI. I am more nervous playing my 200th match, while Prema is someone who looks very calm,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt said Dane van Niekerk and Tazmin Brits are in the playing eleven in place of Sune Luus and Kayla Reyneke. \u201cProbably would've batted as well. Big game, would've liked to put runs on the board. Nice to have won against them recently but they have got the better of us at the World Cup recently. Really slow here, so thought of bringing in some batters who are good against the spin,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the pitch report, Isa Guha observed that \u2018the wind had dropped,\u2019 with boundary dimensions being compact - the straight boundary standing at 70 metres, while square boundaries are equidistant at 61 metres. Assessing the fresh surface, Katey Martin noted it appeared quite dry with plenty of cracks and the grass covering looked fluffy, which suggest conditions are likely to assist spin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Playing XIs:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the pitch report, Isa Guha observed that \u2018the wind had dropped,\u2019 with boundary dimensions being compact - the straight boundary standing at 70 metres, while square boundaries are equidistant at 61 metres. Assessing the fresh surface, Katey Martin noted it appeared quite dry with plenty of cracks and the grass covering looked fluffy, which suggest conditions are likely to assist spin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine De Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba<\/p>\r\n\r\n