Mandhana sizzles as India qualify for Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana stood out with a career-best 56-ball 87 as India entered the semifinals of the Women’s T20 World Cup with a five-run win over Ireland in a rain-affected match right here on Monday.

On a floor that was removed from splendid for batting and the place most struggled to drive the tempo, Mandhana led by instance with 9 delectable fours and three sixes to assist India attain 155 for six within the stipulated 20 overs.

In reply, Ireland received off to a disastrous begin as opener Amy Hunter (1) was run out earlier than Renuka Singh bowled Orla Prendergast for nought.

Reeling at 2/1 within the very first over, Ireland recovered to achieve 54 for two within the ninth over, when the heavens opened up and compelled the gamers inside. Play didn’t resume thereafter.

At that time, Ireland wanted want 102 runs in 70 balls and have been 5 runs behind the Duckworth/Lewis par rating of 59, paving the way in which for India’s victory.

When the sport was interrupted, Gaby Lewis and skipper Laura Delany have been batting on 32 and 17 respectively.

India are set to tackle defending champions Australia within the final 4 stage.

This is India’s third successive semifinal look following the one in 2018 and runners-up end in 2020.

With the win, final version’s runners-up India bounced again from the 11-run defeat to England of their earlier match.

Earlier, opting to bat after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (13) received the toss, India have been off to a wonderful begin with the opening duo of Mandhana and Shafali Verma placing on 62 runs in slightly below 10 overs at St George’s Park.

But Shafali as soon as once more received out after getting a begin, caught by Amy Hunter off the bowling of captain Delany, who launched herself into the assault after the frontline bowlers didn’t get the workforce a breakthrough.

Harmanpreet joined Mandhana within the center, and the 2 regarded to construct on a partnership. Playing strokes turned out to be troublesome on a floor that seemed to be a bit on the slower aspect.

The sluggish nature of the wicket however, Mandhana maintained a wonderful strike price and reached her half-century in model, hitting leg-spinner Cara Murray for a six over deep mid-wicket.

Mandhana was fortunate to have survive a scare simply earlier than attending to her fifty, however Arlene Kelly couldn’t full the catch after the batter top-edged a tossed-up supply from Murray in the direction of mid-wicket.

Mandhana then struck two successive fours off Georgina Dempsey, earlier than sending Delany over the cow nook for one other most.

Ireland got here again with the wickets of Harmanpreet and Richa Ghosh in successive balls, however Mandhana continued to assault the bowlers and hit two extra boundaries off Kelly earlier than giving the identical remedy to Delany, putting her for a 4 and a six to assist India inch in the direction of 150.

A century was on the playing cards, however Mandhana’s good innings got here to an finish as she tried to take the aerial route.

Jemimah Rodrigues struck two fours within the last over, earlier than getting off within the final ball of the India innings for a 12-ball 19.

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