Will Shafali Verma and Poonam Yadav continue excellent run in semis?
Title contenders India, after a sensational unbeaten run in the group stages, need a solid all-round performance to get the better of formidable England in the semi-finals of the ICC women's T20 World Cup, in Sydney, on Thursday.
Having produced the best showing among the teams in the competition, India are seeking a maiden appearance in the final of women’s cricket’s showpiece event.
In the seven earlier editions, they did not reach the final, but, this time, are serious title contenders after a string of superlative performances.
They began with a win over defending champions Australia and since then gathered strength with every match, beating Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka to top Group A with eight points from four matches.
The Indians are in red-hot form, but history favours England, who have won all the five matches played between the two sides in this tournament.
The last time, the two teams met in the a T20 World Cup, England won by eight wickets in the semi-finals in the West Indies in 2018.
"After losing the last semi-final, as a team, we realised we have to work as a unit, and right now you will see that our team is working as a unit and we are not reliant on just one or two players," India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said, referring to the semi-finals loss in 2018.
Seven players in this Indian team played in that semi-final and they are hoping to turn the tables on the Englishwomen this time.
The Indians will also take confidence from the win against England in the tri-series in Australia ahead of this World Cup.
On form, most of the Indians are in top form with teenage sensation Shafali Verma being the leading batter, having scored 161 runs in four innings, which has seen her rise to the top spot in the ICC women's T20 rankings.
With a batting average of 40.25, the 16-year-old is third among the leading run-getters in the tournament, followed by England's Natalie Sciver (202) and Heather Knight (193).
One-down Jemimah Rodrigues is also in good touch and has made useful contributions though she has not scored big so far, with 34 being her highest.
The middle order has also stepped up whenever needed with Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav making their presence felt in different matches.
The two most experienced players in skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Smriti Mandhana have, however, not lived up to the expectations and the semi-finals gives them a chance to make a comeback.
In the bowling department, leg-spinner Poonam Yadav is on top of the tournament chart with nine wickets from four matches. She was ably supported by Shikha Pandey (7 from 4 matches).
For England, who qualified for the semi-finals after finishing second in Group B with three wins and one loss, batting is their strength.
Natalie has plundered 202 runs with an average of 67.33, including three fifties, and the Indians will have to find a way to stop her in her tracks.
In the bowling department also, England have the likes of left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone (8 wickets) and pacer Anya Shrubsole (7 wickets) who are at second and third spot in the tournament chart.
Teams (from):
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Harleen Deol, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Richa Ghosh, Pooja Vastrakar.
England: Heather Knight (Captain), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones (wk), Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt.
Match starts: 0930 IST.
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