Chance for India to consolidate position

India are currently third on the points table with 16 points from 15 matches and could get one foot in the door if they are able to win the series. They could reach 21 points with a 3-0 win and that would take them to within three points of reigning World Cup winners England, who are almost through with 24 points from 18 matches.

Australia are the only team to have guaranteed a place after a 3-0 sweep over Sri Lanka took them to 34 points in the eight-team championship that provides direct qualification berths in the World Cup to hosts New Zealand and four other teams.

Not much separates teams mid-table with South Africa at 16 points from 15 matches, Pakistan fifth with 15 from 15 and New Zealand sixth with 14 from 15. The West Indies only have 11 from 18 matches and left with little chance of qualifying.

India opener Smriti Mandhana goes into the series as the highest-ranked batter from either side with second place in the ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings, while captain Mithali Raj is in seventh place. In the bowlers’ list, sixth-ranked Jhulan Goswami leads a trio also consisting of new-ball partner Shikha Pandey (eighth) and leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (ninth).

West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor leads in all three lists from her team. She is ranked 11th among batters, 21st among bowlers and fourth in the all-rounders’ list.