After defeating Ireland on Monday, February 20, at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha by a score of five runs using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, the India Women’s side advanced to the semi-final round of the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
When playing Laura Delany’s squad in their final Group B game, Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and decided to bat first. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, the Indian team’s opening pair, provided the squad a respectable start with their 62-run partnership before the former left in the 10th over.
Just before the midway point of the team innings, Harmanpreet joined Mandhana at the crease. The skipper had moved herself up the batting order to obtain some hitting time. She failed to demonstrate why it was a good idea to bat before Jemimah Rodrigues, managing just 13 runs in her shaky innings as Harmanpreet and Mandhana put on a 52-run partnership.
Mandhana’s remarkable 56-ball 87, her highest total in T20 Internationals, featured nine fours and three sixes. The opener was dropped four times before being caught on the last over, so she had luck on her side. Jemimah Rodrigues’ late hitting and Mandhana’s brilliance helped India reach a sizable 155/6 in the first innings.
Jemimah and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh worked together to run out Irish opener Amy Hunter on the opening ball of the chase. Renuka Singh Thakur, a fast bowler, added insult to injury by dismissing Orla Prendergast for a duck.
With the help of the captain Laura Delany (17*) and Gaby Lewis (32*), India was only a matter of time away from regaining the upper hand. In the powerplay, the tandem connected on the goal eight times, with Lewis leading the attack.
Shikha Pandey and Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s two overs bowled after the powerplay proved to be efficient for India as only four and five runs, respectively, were allowed.
Just after Pooja Vastrakar bowled two balls (one of which went wide) in the ninth over, a rain drizzle was broken up. When India left the field, they had a five-run advantage using the DLS system. Play was unable to continue due to the persistent precipitation, and as a result, India was awarded the victory by the match officials.
Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. finished second in the points standings behind England, who still have their last game against Pakistan on Tuesday, with three victories in four games in Group B. (February 21).
On Thursday, February 23, in Cape Town, the first semi-final match will take place between India and Australia, who finished top in Group A. Watch out the fans’ reactions to India taking on the five-time T20 World Champions.
Here is how fans reacted to the semi-final clash between India and Australia:
Okay no need to create hope for finals. Gaals will board the flight ✈️ on Friday #ICCWomensT20WorldCup
— Karthik (@Karthikacdc1) February 20, 2023
No. Hope for a change in trend 😃
— Vijay Lokapally 🇮🇳 (@vijaylokapally) February 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/StrawHatLuffy7x/status/1627705179591299072?s=20
Pindia will lose in sf
— 10² (@thfcharryk) February 20, 2023
IndW ki semis loney tagilaaru AusW.
Miracle aite thappa ippudunna AusW ni beat cheidam impossible #ICCWomensT20WorldCup— Phaneendra (@bphaneendra) February 21, 2023
https://twitter.com/visheshtaaa_j15/status/1627995626620461056?s=20
In 30 Women’s T20 Internationals, India and Australia have faced off. With 22 victories to India’s 7, with one match ending in a tie, the Ladies in Yellow have dominated this encounter.
The most recent T20 World Cup knockout match between the two teams took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), when Australia defeated India by 85 runs in the championship match.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.