Shafali’s Knock Was Entertaining, Writes Former Cricketer Soniya Dabir

Former cricketer Soniya Dabir, who has represented India in four women’s one-day international and 13 Twenty20 international matches is part of Female Cricket’s Expert Panel for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. Here’s a quick analysis by Soniya Dabir on India’s team performance after their game against New Zealand Women.

The Indian team becomes the first team in Women’s World Cup T20 2020 to berth the semifinals spot. The Kiwis almost had the game, Amelia Kerr played one of the best innings of her life. Smriti back in the playing eleven and Radha Yadav replaced Arundhati was the expected change in the team today.

The middle-order though struggled today but it was an off day at the office as they have been doing well in the world cup.

Put to bat, aggression was shown by both the openers. The move to send Taniya Bhatia in the powerplay and giving her free hand proved vital for the team. Her innings were very crucial. Though the New Zealand bowlers hardly gave any room to free her hands, Shafali Verma yet again played a truly entertaining knock, although she would have liked to capitalize more on the chances she got.

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Harman should have come to bat before Jemimah and should have played freely. Lack of runs for Harmanpreet could be a reason she is batting very cautiously and in the barter, throwing her wickets because that’s just not her game. A good 20/30 runs and Harman will be back, she is a superb player. The middle-order though struggled today but it was an off day at the office as they have been doing well in the world cup. There was a much-needed partnership between Radha and Shikha Pandey which changed the course of the game towards India.

But my standout bowler today was definitely Shikha Pandey, started with just one run in her first over with a wicket and then coming back and bowling the all-important last over after the Amelia Kerr show was brilliant.

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Exceptional bowling and fielding today by Indian Team. Playing Radha Yadav today gave Harman an added spinner and also she could use Poonam Yadav earlier in the match today. Controlled and crucial spells by Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari and Deepti. But my standout bowler today was definitely Shikha Pandey, started with just one run in her first over with a wicket and then coming back and bowling the all-important last over after the Amelia Kerr show was brilliant. She showed the experience she possesses and how to keep calm in a crunch situation.

All the very best to the Indian Team.. keep going Strong!

Image Credit: ICC

This piece was published first on Female Cricket.