CWG 2022: India Subdue Hosts England, Advance To Women’s Cricket Final

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.

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.