The first team to qualify for the semi-finals of ICC Women’s World T20 this year, India had an invincible run in the league, winning four out of four group stage matches against Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.
Going into the semi-finals, India would look to carry their form and hope to make it to their first-ever World T20 final. While, on one hand, there is the joy of winning all the four games on the trot, there is anxiety on the other, as the Women in Blue will take on England in the first semi-final on Thursday at the Sydney Cricket ground (SCG).
Flashback to 2018. Just like this year, India went on to the knock out stage with an impeccable 100 percent success in the group stage. They met England in the semi-final only to find themselves packing their bags for a trip back home. Prior to this, the two teams locked horns against each other in the final match of ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 at Lords, which the hosts went on to win by a minuscule margin.
With two defeats in the crucial games of ICC events, there is seldom any doubt that India will look to get the monkey off their back by putting up a strong performance at the SCG on Thursday.
So, what happened in the semi-final of Women’s World T20 2018 between India and England?
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, India was done and dusted for a meager 112 inside 20 overs. The middle-order collapsed like a pack of cards as Deepti Sharma and co. could not capitalize on the start provided by the top order. With a modest score on board, the bowlers were required to pull up their socks and defend the target, however, the English batters were too good to be tamed. In the hindsight, we can say that India missed a quality batter in the middle order and wicket-taking bowler, who could defend the small target.
Going into the semi-final this year, the Indian outfit looks refreshing with the rise of 16-year of Shafali Verma. The child prodigy has had a fantastic tournament so far with 161 runs in four games at a healthy average of 40.25. Verma ranks third behind England’s Natalie Sciver (202) and Heather Knight (193). The swashbuckling opener has been guilty of demoralizing top-notch bowlers in the powerplay with her powerful and clean striking of the cricket ball. Her partner Smriti Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who have had a quiet World T20 so far will look to go all guns blazing against a quality English bowling attack.
In 5 @T20WorldCup played so far between 🇮🇳&🏴,
🏴 Won 5
🇮🇳 Won 0This semi-final (if rain-gods permit) will be super exciting!#INDvENG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/xPE5wAs5vx
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) March 4, 2020
Probably the duo has reserved their best for the last. In the bowling department, India with its five frontline bowlers can give any opposition a run for their money. Having defended modest scores like 133 against Australia and 134 against New Zealand in the league matches, the Indian bowlers are oozing with confidence and this time around, they will look to wreak havoc in the English camp. In 2018, the Indian bowlers were left clueless with Amy Jones and Natalie Sciver firing on all cylinders. Poonam Yadav is a much-improved bowler since the previous World T20.
The spin wizard is the highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far with nine dismissals in four matches. Also, a win against England in the T20 tri-series that was held just before the World Cup would have done a world of good to them.
India has never won a single game against England in T20 World Cup.
Jun 11 2009 – 🏴 won by 10 wickets
Sep 29 2012 – 🏴won by 9 wickets
Mar 26 2014 – 🏴won by 5 wickets
Mar 22 2016 – 🏴won by 2 wickets
Nov 22 2018 – 🏴 won by 8 wicketsTime for the equation to change? Comment:
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) March 4, 2020
On this backdrop, unequivocally, India looks to a better side than its 2018 version and the Women in Blue have a strong chance of making it to the finals.
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.