(Cricket news) India took a big step toward semi final qualification in the Women's World Cup with a massive 110 run wicket over Bangladesh. Mithali Raj won the toss and didn't hesitate to bat first as they made one change by replacing seamer Meghna Singh with spinner Poonam Yadav and there was still no spot for Deepti Sharma. India still needs a win in the game against South Africa but if West Indies lose to Proteas tomorrow, India may not need a win in the last game.
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana gave India the perfect start as they added 74 runs for the first wicket in 15 overs. Both the openers were dismissed in quick succession but the groundwork was laid. Verma scored a run a ball 42, hitting 6 boundaries and a maximum. Her return to form just before a clutch match is incredible news for the Indian side. She batted like her usual self hitting the big shots in the powerplay and in the end was unlucky to be stumped.
Mithali Raj shockingly got out for a golden duck to continue her inconsistent performances at the World Cup as she still has only one 50 in the campaign. Yastika Bhatia steadied the ship and scored her 2nd consecutive half century. Despite losing batting partners Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh, Bhatia kept the scoreboard ticking with her 50 off 80 balls. India's two power pack all-rounders Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar fired towards the end as India reached 229 runs. The pitch wasn't the easiest to bat on but India would've expected to score more. Set batters once again couldn't play a big innings as Bhatia and Verma threw their wickets away.
With 230 runs to defend, India never let the Bangladeshi batters settle. Sneh Rana led the troops with figures of 4/30 in her 10 overs. Rana could've had a few more as a couple catches fell short and a couple were dropped as well. Poonam Yadav, who was called back into the side, picked up a wicket but still looked inaccurate and bowled quite a few looseners. Rajeshwari Gayakwad who was asked to bowl in the power play picked up a wicket and bowled very tight spells. Seamers Pooja Vastrakar and Jhulan Goswami picked up 2 scalps each as Bangladesh were bowled out for 119.
India's game against South Africa, which is the last game of the group stages, is still likely to be a do or die as they sit in 3rd position in the points table. The blue camp will also have an eye on the other games especially the one between West Indies and South Africa.
Also read: Lanning's 135 guides Australia to five-wicket win over South Africa
