Internet Desk: High on confidence Indian Women’s cricket team would want to continue their good show when they will lock horns with West Indies in their second encounter of the ICC Women’s World Cup tomorrow.
Mithali Raj’s side started well in the tournament as they shocked hosts England by 35 runs in the first match of the tournament and showed the world that they have come to play the tournament to win it.
On the other hand the Caribbean side faced a humiliating 8-wicket loss against Australia in their first match.
It was an all-round performance by the women in blue in all three parts of the game against a tough side like England.
Sent into bat first the Indian eves scored 281 runs for the loss of three wickets and the Indian bowlers responded well as they bowled out the hosts for 246 in 47.3 overs. They were well backed by the fielders who played key role in the field and effected four run-outs.
Openers Smriti Mandhana (90), Poonam Raut (86), Mithali Raj (71) and Harmanpreet Kaur (24 not out) all excelled with the bat to set the platform for India’s total.
On the bowling front, off-break bowler Deepti Sharma (3/47), medium pacer Shikha Pandey (2/35) and leg-spinner Poonam Yadav (1/51) returned among wickets to help India’s cause.
And come tomorrow, the Indians would expect a repeat show if not better against the dangerous Caribbeans, who will be desperate to register their first win in the tournament.
For India, skipper Raj, whose first target is to make the semi-finals, is coming off a record-breaking seven successive half-centuries, and she would look to continue in the same vein.
Mandhana, who has made a fine return from injury, looked in ominous form against England. Her 90-run knock came off just 72 balls and was laced with 11 boundaries and two sixes.
She might not have picked up any wickets against England, but Jhulan Goswami, the highest wicket-taker in ODI history, will lead the Indian bowling attack.
As far as their recent form is concerned, India comprehensively won their last four ODI series, first whitewashing Sri Lanka and the West Indies at home and then beating South Africa in the finals of the World Cup qualifier as well as the quadrangular series.
Going by the outcome of their recent clashes, India will definitely start favourites against the West Indies.
Meanwhile, in the other match of the day, defending champions Australia will play Sri Lanka.
After the nine-wicket thrashing at the hands of New Zealand in their opening game, Sri Lanka too would be eager to get off the blocks but it is easier said than done against the title-holders.
Teams (from):
India: Mithali Raj (capt), Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Veda Krishnamurthy, Mona Meshram, Poonam Raut, Deepti Sharma, Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, Ekta Bisht, Sushma Verma, Mansi Joshi, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Nuzhat Parween.
West Indies: Stafanie Taylor, Merissa Aguilleira, Reniece Boyce, Shamilia Connell, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Qiana Joseph, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Akeira Peters, Shakera Selman, Felicia Walters.