The Indian women’s cricket team has created history and secured the country’s first-ever medal in cricket in history of the Commonwealth Games (CWG). The Women in Blue have reached the gold medal match after beating hosts England in a nail-biting clash at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground.
After Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and chose to bat first, Smriti Mandhana gave India a sensational start. The left-handed opener recorded the fastest half-century by an Indian in T20I cricket after reaching the milestone in just 23 balls.
Mandhana and Shafali Verma put up a quick-fire partnership of 76 runs before both were dismissed in quick succession. Mandhana ended her incredible knock by scoring a 32-ball 61. Indian skipper Harmanpreet had a poor outing as she managed to make just 20 runs after facing as many deliveries. Jemimah Rodrigues continued her fine run of form with the bat and scored an unbeaten knock of 44 in 31 balls to help the women in blue put a massive total of 174 on the board.
England got a rapid start to the chase with Sophia Dunkey and Danielle Wyatt looking to replicate Mandhana’s heroics. However, the Indian spinners Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana ensured India were able to get the game back on track. The ever reliable Natt Sciver and Amy Jomes looked set to take England home with a 54-run partnership before a run out changed the complexion of the game.
In the 19th over, England suffered their third run out of the innings as Nat Sciver’s attempt at taking an extra run failed. With 14 needed off the final over, India were hit a time penalty and could have only three outfielders with Sneh Rana trusted to bowl in the deciding over.
Rana held her nerve and bowled an incredible over to help the Women in Blue win the thrilling clash by just four runs. The Women in Blue will face either Australia or New Zealand in the final tomorrow.
