India's Predicted XI vs West Indies, Women's T20 World Cup 2023: Will Smriti Mandhana Return To The Squad?

After registering a thrilling victory in their tournament opener against Pakistan, Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India faces West Indies in the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa on Wednesday. India will eye a top berth in Group B with the match against the Caribbean side, who are at the bottom of the table after losing their opening game to England by 7 wickets. India are at the second spot in the table with two points. Their net run rate is +0.497. England top the table with four points and a net run rate of +2.497.

An update on Smriti Mandhana, who missed the first game due to a finger injury, is still awaited. In case, the player is fit for the first game, India might try to rope her in by replacing Yastika Bhatia.

Here is what we think could be India's playing XI for match against West Indies -

Yastika Bhatia/Smriti Mandhana: Yasktika failed to impress in the warm-up matches while her performance in the first match against Pakistan was no different. She is India's opener in absence of team's regular Smriti Mandhana. The latter's possible return might see Yastika warm the bench.

Shafali Verma: The right-handed batter scored 33 runs off 25 balls in India's T20 World Cup opener. Shafali is a power-hitting, who provides India quick starts. After leading the U-19 Women's team to the World Cup title as skipper, she must be high on confidence.

Jemimah Rodrigues: The 22-year-old will be on the spotlight after bagging the Player of the Match award against Pakistan. It was Jemimah Rodrigues' 53 not out off 38 balls that paved the way for India in a thrilling 7-wicket win over Pakistan.

Harmanpreet Kaur: After having a decent outing in the recently concluded Tri-Series against South Africa and West Indies, the Indian