New Delhi: India will meet six-time champions Australia in the semi-finals of the women’s cricket World Cup at Derby’s Country Ground on Thursday.
Statistically, India have been the underdogs in World Cup outings against the defending champions. However, of late, the Indians have held their nerves in crunch situations and have caused several upsets.
In the 2009 World Cup, the Indians rattled home favourites Australia twice largely due to attacking shots square of the wicket.
India’s first trump card is experienced opener Smriti Mandhana. If India have to play the final at Lords, the ambidextrous opener will have to do two things.
Firstly, rejog her memory and replicate here efforts in the 2016 encounter against Australia in Hobart when she smashed 102 in 109 deliveries. She also has to forget her recent run of poor form and bat for an extended period.
Secondly, it’s imperative for India to get their top five best batters in for the first 40 overs. Mandhana, Poonam Yadav, Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma will have to preserve their wickets in order to cushion the pinch-hitters.
In the previous match, Veda Krishnamurthy was the game changer who smashed India into the last four stage.
Mithali will have to concentrate on the leg side as the Aussies have in the last decade and a half purchased her wickets on the off side. She will have to hit across the line on the leg side and take off the pressure on her.
Again, if India are batting first, the target should be in excess of 280. Anything less, the Kangaroo girls will hunt India down.
Ekta Bisht has been the pick of the Indian bowling line-up till the Aussies and South Africa destroyed her bowling analysis of 123 runs in 19 overs.
England captain Heather Knight meanwhile said they are yet to reach their best in the Women’s World Cup, despite beating South Africa by two wickets at Bristol on Tuesday to reach the final.
Sarah Taylor top-scored for England with a crucial 76-ball 54 as South Africa fought back hard in the latter stages to take the semi-final down to the closing over in their attempt of defending 218.
Two-time World Cup winners England will find out who they play in Sunday’s sold-out final at Lord’s when reigning champions Australia take on India at Derby on Thursday.
“We haven’t put in the perfect performance together,” Knight said afterwards, acknowledging there were areas England needed to improve in ahead of the final.
— IANS
