The Women’s India Under 19 team entered the finals with a comprehensive win over New Zealand in the first semi-finals played at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom on 27 January 2023.
Indian captain Shafali Verma won the toss and decided to field first. Mannat Kashyap was introduced into the attack and struck immediately with a good low catch by Soumya Tiwari. Georgia Plimmer was given a reprieve as Trisha dropped a sitter. Titas Sadhu got rid of another opener Emma McLeod to leave New Zealand in trouble. Isabelle Gaze showed intent putting pressure on Sonam Yadav with 3 boundaries.
Gaze and Plimmer kept the scoreboard ticking with boundaries. At the end of the first six overs, New Zealand women made 40 for 2. Parshavi Chopra struck in her opening over dismissing Gaze in front of the stumps. Gaze and Plimmer added 37 runs for the 3rd wicket. The Indian bowlers kept it tight not allowing the New Zealand batters to score runs easily. Chopra looked impressive with the wicket of captain Izzy Sharp off a full toss. Shafali Verma and other Indian bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals and did not allow opponents to run away with scoring.
Archana Devi grabbed the important wicket of Plimmer. It was a disciplined bowling effort by the Indian bowlers to restrict New Zealand women to just 107 for 9 in 20 overs.
#TeamIndia march into the Finals of the #U19T20WorldCup.
They become the first team to reach the finals of the inaugural #U19T20WorldCup 💪💥👏
Way to go #WomenInBlue! pic.twitter.com/4H0ZUpghkA
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 27, 2023
Chasing 108 runs to win, Shweta Seharwat looked impressive with her shots putting pressure on the New Zealand bowlers. A stunning catch by Plimmer ended the innings for Shafali Verma. Verma and Seharwat added 33 runs in a quick time. Seharwat hit 3 boundaries against Loggenberg to keep pressure on New Zealand bowlers. At the end of the first six overs, the Indian women scored 55 for 1.
After the field restrictions, Shweta continued her style of play and completed her fifty off 39 deliveries. Browning got rid of Soumya Tiwari with a lovely delivery. Shweta and Soumya Tiwari added 62 runs for the 2nd wicket. The right-handed Shweta hit the winning runs to help the Indian team win the match by 8 wickets with 34 balls to spare.
The Indian women’s produced a dominating performance with the ball and restricted New Zealand to below par total.
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