With three wins in a row, India have secured their spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020.
With three wins in a row, India have secured their spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020.
The Indian eves won the match in a thrilling encounter as they beat New Zealand by four runs in a last-ball on Thursday.
Put in to bat first, India posted a below-par 133 for eight in the crucial Group A match. With this win, India topped their group, having beaten Australia and Bangladesh in their last two outings.
Defending the total, all five Indian bowlers made sure to get a wicket. While Deepti Sharma gave away 12 runs to opener Rachel Priest (12), experienced pacer Shikha Pandey removed Priest in the next over.
Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad too gave New Zealand a hard time and they were seen playing with caution.
Coming back into the attack, Deepti cleaned up Suzie Bates as New Zealand slipped to 30 for two. Poonam Yadav and Radha Yadav then mounted the pressure as they did not give the Kiwis much runs. The BlackCaps were soon reduced to 34 for 3 when the Poonam Yadav dismissed skipper Sophie Devine (14).
Maddy Green (24) and Katey Martin (25) tried to stabilize the innings with their 36-ball 43-run stand, however, Gayakwad removed Green and Radha followed to dismiss Martin which left New Zealand at 90 for 5 in 16.3 overs.
The Kiwis needed 44 off 21 balls and Amelia Kerr (34) took matters in her own hands as she blasted four boundaries to accumulate 18 runs in Poonam Yadav's over. She brought the equation to 16 off six balls.
In the final over, Hayley Jensen (11) and Kerr cracked a four each but Shikha ended the over with a run-out to complete the win.
Earlier, Shafali Verma made sure to give India a good start as she top-scored with a 34-ball 46, while Taniya Bhatia chipped in with a 25-ball 23.
In the 10th over, Taniya and Jemimah Rodrigues (10) were caught by Kerr as India slipped to 80 for 3. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s (1) poor form continued as she could not contribute and was soon sent back.
Shafali, who was dropped at least two times in the clash, holed out to Jensen at deep extra cover. She had smashed four boundaries and three maximum shots.
Left-handed batter Deepti Sharma (8) and Veda Krishnamurthy (6) brought up the 100 but both departed soon leaving India at 104 for 6. Radha Yadav came in and blasted 14 off nine which included a six in the final over, to give some respectability to the total.
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 "ICC Women's T20 World Cup: India beat New Zealand to enter semis")
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