In the absence of Richa Ghosh, who is also on India U-19 duty with Shafali Verma, the team needs to find another power hitter in the middle-order.
Amore intrepid approach will be anticipated from India’s top- order when they meet South Africa in Saturday’s dress trial for the women’s tri-series final.
West Indies losing their first three games has assured an India- South Africa final on February 2. still, India would have plodded to post a competitive aggregate against the West Indies in their former league institution, If wasn’t for the educated brace of Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
While they both are anticipated to perform constantly for the platoon, the captain will be awaiting stage- eschewal performances from the youngish lot.
Opening the innings in the absence of Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia has not been suitable to attack the bowlers in the powerplay. With due respect to South Africa and West India, a analogous fur approach can prove expensive against tougher opponents like Australia and England in the forthcoming World Cup.
Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur cracked fine unbeaten half- centuries as India defeated West Indies by 56 runs to keep their slate clean in the Women’s T20ITri-Series.
India, after winning the toss and taking to club, were out to a good launch and managed 167 for two in 20 overs. They also confined the opponents to 111 for four to scrounge out their alternate successive palm of the series.
Openers Yastika Bhatia and Mandhana sutured together a 33- run cooperation before the former was dismissed by out- incentive Karishma Ramharack for 18 with just one delivery remaining in power play.
Ramharack tossed the ball up outdoors out and Yastika tried a drive over covers but ended up playing down from her body. A faint outside edge saw the nature give an easy catch to wicketkeeper Rashada Williams.
Her redundancy brought in Harleen Deol but her stay at the crinkle did not last long, as she was trapped in front while trying to flutter the ball on the off- side from leader Shanika Bruce. The early response to the length ball saw the youthful middle- order batter miss the stroke, with the ball hitting her on the front pad.
At 52 for two, there were some tense moments but formerly Mandhana and Harmanpreet paired up, boundaries flowed freely.
Harmanpreet, who was back leading the side after missing the opening match of thetri-series reportedly due to illness, was on song as she smashed a 35- ball 51 speckled with eight boundaries.
Mandhana, after failing with the club in the opening game against South Africa, was inversely truculent scoring 74 off just 51 deliveries as the brace maundered together for nearly 12 overs to guide India to a competitive score.
Mandhana, who was dismissed for seven runs in thetri-series nature against South Africa Women, hit 10 boundaries and a six, indeed as the opponents utilised seven bowlers to break the cooperation.
A target of 167 was always going to be a delicate chase and India baits led by Radha Yadav strangled the runs, giving away precious little by way of loose deliveries.
The 22- time-old Radha gave away just 10 runs in her four overs while also taking the gate of Shemaine Campbelle( 47), who consumed 57 deliveries.
By the time Campbelle was dismissed trying a pull off a full toss but holing out to Amanjot Kaur at deepmid-wicket, the match was as good as lost for West Indies as they were 96 for four with just 15 deliveries remaining.
In the absence of Richa Ghosh, who’s also on IndiaU-19 duty with Shafali, the platoon needs to find another power megahit in the middle- order. novitiate Amanjot Kaur was emotional on her debut and would be itching to use the long handle again.
Jemimah Rodrigues ’ wretched run has continued since the home series against Australia and she needs to find runs ahead of the ICC event coming month. The game will also give another occasion for Harleen Deol to make an impact after two failures. All- rounder Pooja Vastrakar is yet to get a game considering her fitness but she might play on Saturday.
Shikha Pandey, who made a surprise return to the public platoon, will be anticipated to give early improvements after going wicketless in her comeback game.
Having lost to India in thetri-series nature, South Africa will be look to make amends ahead of a reprise clash in the final. Know More Women Cricket News…
