India’s World Cup campaign came to a sad end on March 27 as the Women in Blue lost to South Africa in a do-or-die match. South Africa beat India by three wickets as they chased down the target of 275 on the very last ball of the match.
With that loss, India made way for West Indies to enter the semi-finals and denied themselves a place in the knock-outs. Out of the seven matches that India played in the league stage of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, Mithali Raj and co. won three and lost four. They won against Pakistan, Bangladesh, and West Indies and lost to Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa. Despite India’s early exit from the World Cup, there were some good performances delivered by India. Let us have a look at them:
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Batting Performance
Most Runs and Highest Score
High scores for 🇮🇳 India in #CWC22–
123 – Smriti Mandhana vs 🌴WI
109 – Harmanpreet Kaur vs 🌴WI
71 – Harmanpreet Kaur vs 🇳🇿 NZ
71 – Smriti Mandhana vs 🇿🇦SA
68 – Mithali Raj vs 🇿🇦SA
68 – Mithali Raj vs 🇦🇺AUS#CWC22 #TeamIndia— Female Cricket #CWC22 (@imfemalecricket) March 27, 2022
Smriti Mandhana top-scored for India with 327 runs in seven matches. The left handed opening batter averaged 46.71 and scored at a strike rate of 84.11. The southpaw hit 30 boundaries and four sixes in total. Her 30 boundaries is the highest by an Indian in this World Cup and her four sixes is the joint-highest by an Indian in this World Cup. She shares the highest number of sixes with Harmanpreet Kaur. She also registered the highest score for India in this World Cup when she plundered 123 runs off 119 balls against West Indies. She had two half-centuries and one century to her name.
Best Batting Average
Harmanpreet Kaur had the best batting average at the end of the tournament for India. The right handed middle order batter muscled 318 runs in seven matches at an average of 53. She registered two half-centuries and one century, including the best of 109 against West Indies. She also had a healthy strike rate of 91.64. She hammered 29 boundaries and four sixes. Her four sixes is the joint-highest by an Indian in this World Cup. She shares the highest number of sixes with Smriti Mandhana.
Most Fifties
Indian batters like Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj scored the most number of fifties for India which was two.
Most Hundreds
Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur were the only two centurions for India in this edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Best Strike Rate
With a stellar strike rate of 98.73, Pooja Vastrakar had the best strike rate for India in this World Cup. The all-rounder scored 156 runs in seven matches at an average of 26, including one half-century.
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Bowling Performance
Most wickets
Rajeshwari Gayakwad was the leading wicket-taker for India in this World Cup. The left arm spinner scalped 11 wickets in seven matches at an average of 23.64 and an economy of 3.88. Her best bowling figures came against Pakistan when she picked up 4-31 in 10 overs.
Best Bowling Average and Best Bowling Strike Rate
Best bowling in an innings for 🇮🇳 India in #CWC22–
4/30- Sneh Rana vs 🇧🇩BAN
4/31- Rajeshwari Gayakwad vs 🇵🇰PAK
4/34- Pooja Vastrakar vs 🇳🇿 NZ
3/22- Sneh Rana vs 🌴WI
3/26- Meghna Singh vs 🏴ENG#CWC22 #TeamIndia— Female Cricket #CWC22 (@imfemalecricket) March 27, 2022
Pooja Vastrakar had the best bowling average and best bowling strike rate for India in this World Cup. She bowled 39 overs and picked up 10 wickets at an average of 18.30. She conceded 183 runs at an economy of 4.69 and a strike rate of 23.40.
Best Economy
Poonam Yadav had the best bowling economy for India in this World Cup. She featured in just one match against Bangladesh. The leg spinner bowled seven overs and conceded 25 runs at an economy of 3.57.
Best Bowling Figures
Sneh Rana registered the best bowling figures for India in this World Cup. The right arm off-spinner bagged 4-30 in 10 overs against Bangladesh. In that match, she bowled two maiden overs and had an economy rate of 3.00.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.