India face old nemesis, eye 1st final
SYDNEY: Firm title contenders after a sensational unbeaten run in the group stages, India will have to ensure a solid all-round performance to get the better of England in the semi-finals of the ICC women’s T20 World Cup here on Thursday.
India are seeking their maiden final appearance in the showpiece’s history.
India begun with a win over defending champions Australia and since then have gathered strength with every match, beating Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka to top group A with eight points from four matches.
However, history favours England as they have won all the five matches against India in this tournament. The last time, the two teams met in a T20 World Cup, England won by eight wickets in the semi-finals in 2018.
Before that, India lost in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2016 editions—all in group stages.
“After losing the last semi-final, as a team we realised we have to work as a unit, and right now you will see that our team is working as a unit and we are not reliant on just one or two players,” India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said, referring to the semifinals loss in 2018.
Seven players in the current Indian team played in that semifinal and they would be looking to turn the tables on the Englishwomen this time.
The Indians will also take confidence from the win against England in the tri-series in Australia ahead of this World Cup.
Most of the Indians are in top form with teenage sensation Shafali Verma being the leading batter, having scored 161 runs in four innings, which has seen her rise to top spot in the ICC women’s T20 rankings.
With a batting average of 40.25, the 16-year-old is on the third spot among leading run-getters in the tournament after England’s Natalie Sciver (202) and Heather Knight (193).
One-down Jemimah Rodrigues is also in good touch and has made useful contributions though she has not scored big so far, with 34 being her highest.
The middle order has also stepped up whenever needed with Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav making their presence felt in different matches. The two most experienced players in skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Smriti Mandhana have, however, not been living up to the expectations and the semi-finals could be their big comeback.
In the bowling department, leg-spinner Poonam Yadav is on top of the tournament charts with nine wickets from four matches. She has been ably supported by Shikha Pandey (seven from four matches).