New Delhi: The Indian women’s cricket team doesn’t have a simple path to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 after the recent nine-run loss to Australia in their last Group A fixture on Sunday in Sharjah. Although India still remains in the contention for a semifinal spot in the tournament, the chances look bleak from here.
India remain on the second spot of the points table with four points from as many matches, having won two and lost two. The Women in Blues hold a net-run-rate (NRR) of +0.322 to occupy the second position at present. However, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side can be displaced from its position in Group A if New Zealand seals a victory against Pakistan in their final fixture of the group stage on Monday at the Dubai International Stadium. ‘
India will need a helping hand from their neighbours Pakistan to stop New Zealand from claiming those two points as New Zealand are behind India in terms of NRR. The White Ferns’ current NRR reads +0.282 and a heavy defeat against Pakistan could stop them from vying from the semifinal spot. In case if the points are shared between Pakistan and New Zealand in the last match then the latter will advance to the semifinals with a one-point difference with India.
Though Pakistan will level on four points with India after their potential win against New Zealand, their current NRR of -0.488 might ask them to cut their task to pip their Asian rivals on the points table.
How India missed the opportunity to bag two crucial points in Sharjah?
Australia opted to bat first and opener Grace Harris laid the foundation with a prolific 40-run-knock. She was involved in a 62-run stand with stand-in skipper Tahila McGrath to rebuild Australia’s innings after Indian pacer Renuka Singh Thakur dented early blows in the powerplay. Ellyse Perry (32) and Phoebe Litchfield (15*) provided late charge with the bat to take them past 150 in the end.
Young Indian opener Shafali Verma scored runs at brisk in the first three overs, a brilliant start India needed in a tricky chase against a formidable opposiiton like Australia. Shafali threw her wicket against the run-of-play in the fourth over and Smriti Mandhana failed to add a vital contribution, getting dismissed for six runs after playing 12 deliveries.
Jemimah Rodrigues (16 runs off 12 balls) failed to carry on the momentum received from the early fluent shots. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (54*) and all-rounder Deepti Sharma (29) forged a 63-run stand in the middle before the latter was caught in the 16th over off Sophie Molineux’s bowling. Despite Harmanpreet’s attempts to slog with a few boundaries in the last couple of overs, Australian pacer Annabel Sutherland bowled a terrific last over, where she conceded just four runs to leave India in bewilderment and helped Australia snatch victory from the jaws of a nearly defeat.
ICC T20 World Cup 2024: India remain on the second spot of the points table with four points from as many matches, having won two and lost two. The Women in Blues hold a net-run-rate (NRR) of +0.322 to occupy the second position at present. However, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side can be displaced from its position in Group A if New Zealand seals a victory against Pakistan in their final fixture of the group stage on Monday at the Dubai International Stadium. ‘ Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
