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- Published: February 20, 2023 20:05
New Delhi: Smriti Mandhana, with her 87 off 56, smashing nine fours and three sixes, guided India to a fine total of 155 in a must-win game against Ireland. Captain Laura Delany’s three wickets and a two in the 19th over by Orla Prendergast ensured that India does not put up a total that might look out of their reach. Jemimah Rodrigues provided the finish with her 19 off 12 after India’s ideal finishers Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma departed in golden ducks.
India started slow and the wind which came out of nowhere tricked both batters and the bowlers. Indian opener laid a 62-run stand, but Shafali Verma did not look comfortable as she missed the lengths and played an un-Shafali-like inning of 24 off 29. Harmanpreet Kaur playing her 150th T20I completed 3000 runs in the shortest format but failed to make a mark in the game with her 13(20). She was dismissed by Delany as Prendergast took a brilliant low catch.
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Following Kaur’s wicket, one of the finest finishers in women’s cricket currently, Richa Ghosh got out on the first ball. It was Mandhana, who then accelerated with Rodrigues to put up a 28-run stand of 16 deliveries.
Mandhana’s inning featured long sixes and classic drives while Jemimah hit a perfect four on the first ball she faced and announced that she is going to finish it for India.
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Prendergast’s 19th over was a smart one where she picked two consecutive wickets, giving just five runs. India, who was expected to score 165-170, could manage only 155. But with Renuka Thakur back in her rhythm and Deepti Sharma’s golden arm, it seems a defendable total on a slow South African turf.
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Devika Vaidya replaced Radha Yadav in the playing XI as the latter was unwell.
