Birmingham: India pulled off a magnificent 4-run win against hosts England on Saturday to enter the Commonwealth Games 2022 women’s cricket final at Edgbaston here on Saturday.
After posting 164/5 in their quota of 20 overs, India restricted England to 160/6.
India will face the winner of the second semifinal, to be played between Australia and New Zealand, for the gold medal.
#TeamIndia through to the FINALS of #CWG2022 🎉🥳 pic.twitter.com/Bswbcq4L2h
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) August 6, 2022
Choosing to bat first after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss in the first semifinal, the Indian women got off to a flying start thanks to an electrifying knock by Smriti Mandhana. However, the momentum of the innings slowed down once Mandhana was dismissed for a brilliant 32-ball 61.
Young Jemimah Rodrigues provided the fireworks in the last 5 overs of the innings, racing to an unbeaten 44 off 32 balls, while Harmanpreet and Deepti Sharma contributed 20 and 22, respectively.
England looked to be in control, reaching 81/2 in the ninth over. But some tight bowling by Indian spinners choked the English batters after the midway stage.
England needed 14 runs in the last over, but off-spinner Sneh Rana conceded three singles and took a wicket off the first five balls to seal victory. A last-ball six wasn’t enough as Indians celebrated their entry to the gold-medal contest.
Brief scores: India women 164/5 in 20 overs. England women 160/6 in 20 overs.
Result: India women won by 4 runs, enter CWG final.
