Played At Junction Oval, Melbourne, 29 February
India 116/3 in 14.4 overs ( Shefali Verma 47, S Mandhna 17) beat Sri Lanka 113/9 (S Jayagani 33, YK Dilhari 25* ,RP Yadav 4/23 ,RS Gaekwad 2/18) by 7 Wickets
Player Of The Match: Radha Yadav
Indian eased had a cake- walk over the sub continental rivals Sri Lanka cruising over to their set target of 114 scoring 116/3 with over 5 overs remaining. Only Bangladesh could stretch the all gun blazing Indian girls otherwise they triumphed over all the group rivals with ease and comfort. Right across the Tasman sea team India is getting rolled over by the black caps. Indian girls will now have to wait and see whether they would meet South Africa or England for the semi finals. But at this moment the momentum seems very much with the well- coached Indian team.
India along with host Australia and England are the teams tipped to feature in the business session. They seem to be well on course. However, at this crunch stage West Indies and New Zealand have an outside chance. Whatever be the case India is peaking at the right time. Bowlers are bowling at the right length and line. Leading batsmen are striking form. If they do not choke they will for sure feature in the final on world’s Women day March 8 at MCG.
Today at Junction Oval in the second match of the day they looked too good for Sri Lanka. Against very tight bowling and relaxed fielding Lankans lost wickets at regular interval. Excepting Jayangani (33) at the top and Dilhari (25* ) none could withstand slow left arm orthodox bowling of teenager Radha Yadav ( 4/23) and another left arm orthodox spinner Gayakwad(2/18). Indian spun the Lankans to a below par 113/9 which was perhaps 50 runs too less to test the flamboyant Indian top order. India cruised home riding on quick fire 47 in 34 deliveries of Shefali Verma. This huge win by 7 wickets must give enough confidence for the all important semi final against whoever it might be England, South Africa or West Indies.
Indian think tank must be thinking why their much vaunted senior teams batting is crumbling like cookies against pace and swing of the Kiwis just across the Tasman sea. Should they send Verma for rescuing them?
BDST: 1745 HRS, FEB 29, 2020
SMS
