India’s rising teenage star Richa Ghosh has propelled her crew to a snug six-wicket win over the West Indies, sustaining their 100 per cent begin to the ladies’s T20 World Cup.
Chasing 119 to win, India made an inauspicious begin by shedding three wickets within the first eight overs, however together with Harmanpreet Kaur (33), the 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Ghosh (44no) took management with a 72-run partnership to ease them dwelling with 11 balls to spare on Wednesday.
Stafanie Taylor top-scored for the West Indies with 42 from 40 balls whereas Shemaine Campbelle chipped in with 30, however after their second defeat in as many matches – and fifteenth consecutive loss in all T20Is – they now have solely a slim probability of progressing from the group to the semi-finals.
Player of the match Deepti Sharma, who took 3-15 to change into the primary Indian to the landmark of 100 T20 worldwide wickets, instructed Sky Sports: “That is a milestone, and I am happy with the achievement.
“I really feel good. What we mentioned within the assembly and the plans I had in opposition to the West Indies batters, we have been in a position to apply that within the center.”
Ghosh’s mature finishing even overshadowed the return of India’s star Smriti Mandhana.
The opener Mandhana, who became the most expensive player at this week’s Women’s Premier League auction, was out for 10 on her comeback from a finger injury.
But from the moment she arrived at the crease at 3-43, Ghosh looked assured, stroking five fours in her match-winning knock.
Kaur was out just before the end, leaving Ghosh to smack a short ball through square leg for four for the winning runs.
The West Indies face fellow qualifiers Ireland on Friday while India take on England, who have also won their opening two matches, on Saturday – the highest-profile match at the tournament so far.
India beat Pakistan in their opening game, when Ghosh also showed her value with 31 not out to help seal victory.
“She has been nice for us,” Kaur said. “She is somebody who can all the time pull the sport for us. She is a really harmful batter.
“She can express herself. We are happy with the results and the next game is very important. (We) just want to continue the rhythm.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
