By Chanakya Ch
The Indian Women’s team have displayed a commendable performance in a match against New Zealand Women which lead to the team’s qualification into the playoffs along with Australia, South Africa and England.
In a match that’ll solidify their spot into the top 4,the match between India and New Zealand had eyeballs all around anticipating for a nail-biting fixture between the two teams. India losing the toss were put to bat first. India were under pressure due to their three losses in the last three outings against the three teams.
Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal had the best opening stand of the tournament with 212 in 33.2 overs. The opening pair have followed the template that has worked so far in the tournament.
Pratiks Rawal scored 122 (134) while Smriti Mandhana has scored 109 (95) and set up the game for the team making it easy for the teammates to take stance. Jemimah Rodrigues, back into the team after being left out in the previous game showcased pure class by scoring a quickfire 76 (55).
New Zealand batters were always up against the battle, There were few likely knocks right through the innings from the bats of Ameila Kerr scoring 45 (53) while Brook Halliday and Isabelle Gaze scored 81 (84) and 65 (51) cm respectively. The scores did not help because of the huge target chase.
The early spell of Renuka dismissing the quick-scoring opener Georgia Plimmer and then ripped through the defence of the skipper Spohie Devine had helped India to overtake the kiwis. India, although didn’t have a great tournament, they have a golden chance to turn tune into the winning ways in the playoffs.