Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Chokers choke; Invincible India wins the finale of ICC Women’s WC Qualifiers 2017


Harmanpreet Kaur pulled a rabbit out of her hat when she hit a much needed six off the penultimate ball of the match, to take her team close to the victory. India needed eight runs off two balls with one wicket in hand. The dressing rooms of both the teams were tensed and the players had almost bitten up their nails. It was a cracker of a contest between two of the best teams and the finale at P Sara Oval deserved to go down the wire.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, South Arica posted a commanding 244 on board, with Mignon Du Preez (40) and skipper Dane van Niekerk (37) playing a pivotal part. Left arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the pick of the bowlers scalping 3-51 in her none overs and was supported by India’s ace spearhead Shikha Pandey who accounted for 2-41 in her eight.

Chasing 245 runs was not going to be a cakewalk and this was a known fact to the stand-in captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her girls. The absence of India’s most prolific batter Mithali Raj made the target look even more daunting. But it was again the magic of Mona Meshram (59) at the top that made it look easy. Coming in at no.3 Deepti Sharma (71) shouldered the responsibility and stitched a 124-run partnership with Meshram which almost shattered the hopes of Proteas. The match was a roller coaster ride and the fate of the game was not decided till the ultimate ball was bowled. Kaur (41*) played a captain’s knock and with her last couple of balls heroics saw India through. Deepti Sharma was adjudged as the Player of the Match.

Women in Blue remained unbeaten throughout the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2017. The Indian team will hope that they continue this winning streak and take this form to the British soil this English summer.


Brief Scores: South Africa Women 244 all out in 49.4 overs (M du Preez 40, D van Niekerk 37; R Gayakwad 3-51, S Pandey 2-41) lost to India Women 245-9 in 50 overs (D Sharma 71, M Meshram 59; M Kapp, A Khaka) by one wicket

Captains with trophy
Source: ICC





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