Mumbai's magic surprise Andhra women

Playing their second match in the Elite Group A against Andhra eves, Mumbai made just the one change in the playing XI. The inclusion of batswoman Bhakti Tamore in place of bowler Sayali Satghare will add to the depth of Mumbai’s batting. Skipper Sunetra Paranjape must have realized the need to strengthen the batting after their unsuccessful attempt to chase 166 runs against Punjab. Winning the toss, Mumbai elected to bat first at Khandhari Stadium, Rajkot.

Mumbai batters dealt with the new ball well, but lost their opening batswoman Jemimah Rodrigues (13) in the 11th over. Coming in at no. 3 for Mumbai, Mugdha Joshi played a patient knock of 47 runs and was instrumental in taking the Mumbai total score to 194 runs in their full quota of 50 overs. Humaira Kazi (21) and Manali Dakshini (21*) played some cameos at the end of the innings and helped their team post a strong target for Andhra women. Jhansi Lakshmi was the pick of the bowlers for Andhra as she finished with 3/41 in her 9 overs. Bhanava (2), Salma Banu (2) and Chandra Lekha (1) were the other bowlers who struck for Andhra.

Paranjape should be very happy with her team’s batting performance and would hope her bowlers bowl well to defend the target.

Dream start is what every bowler wants to have, and it was Mumbai bowler Manali Dakshini, who provided her team with one. She sent the Andhra openers back to the pavilion in the initial 5 overs of the innings. Her aggressive bowling rewarded her with the early wickets. Andhra captain Meghana went on to play a brilliant innings of 71 hitting nine fours, before she was differe nt by the 13 year old child prodigy Fatima Jaffer. Chandra Lekha (17), Jhansi Lakshmi (21) and Anjali Sarvani (26) contributed with their batting but could not make the final cut. Andhra batswomen tried to get closer to the Mumbai target but ultimately fell short of 25 runs. Apart from Dakshini and Jaffer, Prakashika Naik (2) and Shwetha Haranhalli (1) were among the wickets. Top notch fielding efforts by the Mumbai women accounted for three crucial run outs.

With this win, Mumbai women’s team has opened its account with 4 points, while Andhra are at the bottom of the Elite Group A table with 0 points.