Team India made an excellent start to their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by 7-wickets in Cape Town on February 12, Sunday.
Batting primarily, Pakistan made 149/4 in their stipulated 20 overs. Captain Bismah Maroof secured an unbeaten 68 off 55 balls, but Ayesha Naseem’s (43* off 25) heroics took the Women in Green to a considerable total. They took on the Indian bowlers in the end overs, getting 58 runs in the last 5.
In reply, India began slowly, and Yastika Bhatia exited after working to find her mojo. Shafali Verma (33), fresh from U19 T20 World Cup, also failed to convert her beginning into a big knock.
Jemimah Rodrigues, who has been in and out of the team, began the reconstruction process along with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who also gone after a 12-ball 16-run knock.
As India was gaping down the barrel on the World Cup stage one more time, India’s No.3 found a capable partner in Richa Ghosh. The duo counted a vast 58 to steer the Women in Blue home with a single over to spare.
๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐! โบ๏ธ
Well played, @JemiRodrigues ๐๐#TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/CWbl2BtOP8
โ BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) February 12, 2023
Let’s look at 3-major changes India can create for their T20 World Cup clash against West Indies.
#1 Smriti Mandhana
India’s vice-captain, who captured a whopping โน3.4 crore Offer at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 auction, had to sit out in the primary game with a finger injury.
Smriti Mandhana update from coach Troy Cooley: She’s been working very hard. It’ll obviously be assessed after today, but she did everything she needed to do. We look at how she pulls up but we’re pretty confident that she got through the session today. pic.twitter.com/4vjcqFuRiN
โ Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 14, 2023
Bhatia performed in her lack but couldn’t make the most of the possibility, chipping in with just 17 runs off 20 deliveries.
The Cricketer might have to create a way for Mandhana, who will probably be available for the West Indies game.
#2 Devika Vaidya
Few knew Devika Vaidya before she bagged a โน1.4 crore compensation at the 2023 WPL auction on Monday. An all-rounder by trade, the Maharashtra-born all-rounder is a convenient option in the middle order, except for her exploits with the ball.
The southpaw is a good ball striker and will bring mixture to the batting unit, which boasts top right-handed batters. She is a genuine wicket-taker with her leg breaks and will give another variation to the attack.
Is it possible to replace Harleen Deol in the Indian playing XI? However, Harleen would be hard done by, given that she severely had any role to play in the final match; the Women in Blue will look to find the right varieties before the business end of the tournament.
#3 Shikha Pandey
Shikha Pandey, the most skilled bowler in the attack, knows how to get the work done on the biggest stage. After a lengthy hiatus, she eventually returned to the side for the tri-series and instantly made her presence felt. The Goa players were equally impressive in the first warm-up game against Australia, replacing with figures of 2/9.
One of the 2 left-arm orthodox spinners in Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Radha Yadav would have to clear the way for Shikha. Gayakwad might face the axe, given that she returns wicket-less, revealing 31 runs from four overs. On the contrary, Radha was the bowlers’ pick, bearing figures of 2/21 in her four overs.
Also read:-IND vs. AUS 1st Test Mohammad Kaif- โHope they are not seeking for a Jadeja duplicate.โ