Women’s T20 comment – Smriti Mandhana shines
The penultimate group match of the women’s T20 ended on February 20, with India beating Ireland. India currently ranks second in points. Wait until England play against Pakistan in the final game of the group stage to determine the final ranking of the group. Check out the comments for this contest before the final one arrives.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana once again proved why she is regarded as the best batswoman in the Indian Women’s T20 side with her impressive career-best score of 87 not out in Monday’s match against Ireland. With rain threatening to disrupt proceedings, India had no room for slip-ups and Mandhana stepped up when her team needed it the most, providing a solid anchor to the Indian batting lineup. Her impressive innings along with great bowling performances from spinner Deepti Sharma and fast bowler Shikha Pandey were instrumental in India booking a ticket to the semi-finals. With Mandhana already having scored three fifties and two twenties in eight completed matches so far this tournament, India will be hoping that their vice-captain can replicate her heroics into their next outing if they are to reach their goal of lifting the World Cup trophy.
A game disrupted by rain
Ireland’s final Women’s T20 grouping match against India proved to be an anticlimactic affair as persistent rain brought a premature end to the much-anticipated battle at the Old Trafford Stadium. Ireland had put up a good fight, having gone in chasing a competitive 157-run target. In just 8.2 overs, they had made good progress towards challenging India’s total, reaching 54 runs for two wickets. Unfortunately, despite nearly an hour of waiting out the bad weather, nature refused to relent and the match was called-off, sealing India’s passage into the world cup semi finals. Though disappointing for Ireland fans who were looking forward to one final fight against one of world cricket’s giants, the result has only secured India’s place among the four teams that will continues their World Cup journey.
India finish second in Group B of women’s T20, following England who currently head the standings. If things remain as they are come Tuesday after England’s final group game against Pakistan, India will face off against Australia in the semi-final. Having already secured six points from four games so far, India are on a good run and look well comprised to keep up their winning streak for the next match and march forward towards success. It is sure to be an exciting finish for Group B as tensions build and we wait with bated breath to see which teams will prevail!
India’s performance in women’s T20
India had a lot to be optimistic about before their innings against Pakistan in the Women’s T20 world cup semi-final, and they got off to a strong start thanks to openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. With extremely important contributions from both players, the side managed to put up an impressive 155 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Mandhana was particularly dangerous, launching 87 runs off just 56 balls in an electrifying display of power-hitting. Meanwhile, Verma backed up her teammate, adding a much needed 24 off 29 balls to the total despite facing two retired hurt decisions that caused her considerable discomfort. Their combined efforts set the tone for India going forward and highlighted why they are seen as one of the favorites in this tournament.
Ireland’s performance in women’s T20
Ireland’s attempt to chase India’s total of 224 runs got off to a sour start as Amy Hunter was run out from the first ball itself. This was followed by four balls later when Orla Prendergast was clean bowled by in-form pacer Renuka Thakur Singh, suddenly reducing Ireland to 1 for 2 in 0.5 overs. While the two quick dismissals gave India a slight advantage, the Irish team remained calm and determined – looking to rebuild the innings steadily, with full faith that they can muster up a competitive total at the end of their allotted twenty overs.
Gaby Lewis and Laura Delany put on a masterful display of batting in extremely difficult circumstances to help resurrect Ireland’s run chase. Lewis, who is the team’s youngest player at 18-years-old, kept her cool under pressure and struck 32 off 25 balls. The skipper, Delany, provided excellent support with 17* off 20 balls before rain came pouring down, stopping play and unfortunately ending the game prematurely. It was a disappointing end to what was looking like an incredible build up by the two top order batsmen, who had worked tirelessly to bring their team back into contention.
In a thrilling finish to a nail-biting cricket match, the Irish team needed 102 runs in 70 balls – an ambitious task that required their batsmen to score at an almost superhuman pace. To make things more interesting, they were five runs behind the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern par score of 59, meaning that any slip-ups would mean game over. The crowd held its breath as the Irish players continued their chase for victory with determined vigour. In a rousing end that had everyone on their feet and cheering, Ireland crossed the finishing line with only one ball to spare!
India reach semi-finals for third time in a row
India’s impressive performance in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup is something to be proud of. This is India’s third successive semifinal appearance, following their match in 2018 and runners-up finish in 2020. Despite suffering a crushing defeat against England in their previous match, India turned things around with a win against the same team that saw them through to the semifinals. This fantastic turnaround is testament to the skilful leadership of Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who managed to rally her side and take home an incredible victory. With this win India will hope they can go all the way and clinch the trophy during these highly anticipated semifinals!
India had a great start to the match when they chose to bat first, with Mandhana and Shafali’s combined efforts managing to accumulate 62 runs in under 10 overs. The duo went hammer and tongs from ball one, showing no mercy for the opposition bowlers. Mandhana’s sublime strokeplay alongside Shafali’s calculated aggression truly set the tone for India as they build up their score from the top order. Such an exemplary display of batting allowed the Indians to go into their second innings confident in the knowledge that, barring any unfortunate events, the match is theirs for the taking.
But Shafali’s momentum was short-lived as Amy Hunter sent her packing shortly after she took to the crease. Captain Delany brought herself onto the attack, looking to get the team their elusive breakthrough. After the opening bowlers had failed to make any headway, Delany was determined to make a difference – and she duly delivered by adding Shafali to her tally. With that wicket, it fuelled Team X’s confidence and eventually led them on their way towards a much needed victory.
Harmanpreet joined Mandhana at a crucial moment in the game, and it was evident that the two wanted to put on a strong partnership. However, playing strokes proved to be quite difficult in the slippery pitch. The surface seemed slower than usual and even batting greats like Harmanpreet and Mandhana were unable to utilize their shots to the fullest. The tension was palpable as every single runs mattered, but it didn’t come easy as every hit was followed by a few moments of sustained silence. It would be fascinating to see what new strategies these two conjure up for the next match!
India’s T20 captain Smriti Mandhana gave her side the perfect start to their most recent match, displaying impressive batting form despite the challenge of a slow wicket. In spite of needing over 50 balls for her fifty, Mandhana kept her strike rate consistently high throughout her innings and reached the milestone with a signature show of power, confidently smacking leg-spinner Cara Murray for a huge six over deep mid-wicket. Her performance set an impressive tone for the innings and illustrated why she is one of the most sought after batswomen in women’s cricket.
Mandhana’s innings was a rollercoaster ride, with her almost getting to fifty before disaster struck in the form of Arlene Kelly missing a catch. The ball had been tossed up by Murray, and Mandhana top-edged it towards mid-wicket – a difficult catch at the best of times. Sadly, Kelly could not get around to making the catch and holding onto it, leaving Mandhana with only 49 runs in her total score. However, luckily for her, she was able to reach fifty on the next delivery – a reprieve from what could have been a heart-breaking situation!
Smriti Mandhana provided a thrilling display at the crease against Ireland, the crowning moment coming when she smashed medium pacer Georgina Dempsey for two successive fours. She then sent Amy Delany’s bowling soaring over the cow corner with a dramatic maximum. This type of stroke play perfectly illustrated Mandhana’s skill and flair, once again showing why she is regarded as one of India’s finest female cricketing exports. Her innings undoubtedly laid down the foundation for her team to achieve victory in this exciting clash.
Unpredictable game
The game of cricket is often unpredictable, with thrilling moments happening at unexpected times. That was certainly the case when India faced off against Ireland: after Harmanpreet and Richa Ghosh were both sent back to the dugout in consecutive balls, all hope seemed lost for the Indian side – until their heroine Smriti Mandhana took charge of the situation. Taking matters into her own hands, she launched a spectacular attack on Ireland’s bowlers: first Kelly felt her wrath as Mandhana clobbered her for two fours, then Delany felt the full force of her strength as another four and a six rocketed away from it. The crowd was electric as India fought their way closer toward a possible victory…but only time will tell how this story ends!
It was looking increasingly likely that Shafali Mandhana was going to become the first Indian woman cricketer to score a century in the T20I format, but alas that moment wasn’t meant to be as she tried to take the ball for an aerial shot and was dismissed for 90. It was an innings which had everything – driving boundaries, running between wickets and clever placement of shots – and showed why she is thought so highly of by cricketing circles all over India. Mandhana’s knock came on the back of a poor powerplay as India found themselves with 3/12 before being bolstered by her brave batting performance. While it would’ve been thrilling if we’d got to witness history, there’s no denying that Mandhana put on a show during her stay at the crease.
In the blink of an eye, Jemimah Rodrigues changed India’s fortunes in their match against England on Monday. With India needing 18 runs in the final over, a sense of apprehension filled the air . Nonetheless, Rodrigues marched out to the crease and dug deep. She blasted two consecutive fours, bringing her total to 19 off 12 balls, putting her side back in control. A last-ball single-shot put decisive pressure on England for their chase, but that did not take away from the pride felt for Rodrigues by India and cricket fans all over the world.
Where can I get information about women’s T20?
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