India defeats England: Advances to the Commonwealth Games 2022 final
After beating England women in a dramatic match at Edgbaston, the Indian women, headed by Harmanpreet Kaur, secured a berth in the gold medal match of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.
England withstood a ferocious attack from Smriti Mandhana, who had India flying at 10 runs per over while raising her fifty in 23 balls, in front of a packed audience at Edgbaston, before England reduced the score to 164 for five. Mandhana’s graceful yet merciless 61 and Jemimah Rodrigues’ handy 44 helped India to a solid 164 for five in 20 overs.
FINALS, here we come 💥💙💪#TeamIndia #GoForGlory pic.twitter.com/wSYHmlv3rb
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) August 6, 2022
Mandhana’s 32-ball PowerPlay attack created the groundwork, while Rodrigues, who is now living up to her tremendous promise, improved significantly throughout her 31-ball undefeated stay at the crease. Mandhana also set the record for the fastest T20 International fifty in women’s cricket, coming off only 23 balls. Rodrigues had seven fours against Mandhana’s eight fours and three sixes in her innings.
The game appeared to be firmly tilting in England’s favour when Harmanpreet introduced Shafali Verma, whose drops in the 16th over netted the hosts 15 runs. However, Deepti and Rana combined for only six runs in the 17th and 18th overs. England was sailing along at 132 for three, needing 165 to win. The hosts just needed 33 runs off 24 balls, but off-spinner Rana bowled extremely well. She only gave up three and nine runs in the 18th and final overs respectfully.
With 13 runs needed from the last over, England should now be rethinking their choice to send in Maia Bouchier and Katherine Brunt instead of the more natural six-hitter Ecclestone.
Ecclestone demonstrated her credibility by deftly driving the second ball over the rope. But it was the final ball of the game, and England’s opportunity for gold had slipped them by. India will now face Australia in the next match.
#TeamIndia through to the FINALS of #CWG2022 🎉🥳 pic.twitter.com/Bswbcq4L2h
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) August 6, 2022
England XI: Danni Wyatt, Nat Sciver (capt), Amy Jones (wk), Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Issy Wong, Sarah Glenn, Sophie Ecclestone, Freya Kemp
India XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Taniya Bhatia(w), Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh, Radha Yadav, Sneh Rana
