At the IPL Women’s T20 Challenge exhibition match team Smriti Mandhana and team Harmanpreet Kaur were battling face to face. The Wankhede Stadium cheered on as Supernovas (led by Kaur) chased down the 130-run target by Mandhana's Trailblazers with three wickets in hand.
It is a historic moment for women’s cricket in India as the cricketers lived up to its reputation. This was the deciding match for the launch of an Indian women's T20 league in the country.
Supernovas won the toss and Trailblazers were put to bat. This was the first time women cricketers faced off in a Premier League Women's T20 Challenge match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.
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However, the excitement was no less than ongoing IPL, and the opening overs of the game stand as testimony. Smriti Mandhana and Alyssa Healy were tougher than ever which put Trailblazers in a quick forward. Trailblazers' captain Smriti was overwhelming but Supernova skipper Harmanpreet was no less. Her flying catch to end Mandhana's innings has set the internet abuzz.
Check it out:
Suzie Bates won Player of the Match for her crucial contribution of 32 runs which helped Trailblazers to 129. Danielle Wyatt and Mithali Raj (both Supernovas) gave a tough pairing fight but as the target drew closer, Supernovas lost the way. In the end, however, Perry and Vastrakar held their nerves to win by 3 wickets in the final over.
Veda Krishnamurthy also took a good catch.
Ahead of the exhibition match, India Men's Team skipper Virat Kohli wished the two teams good luck from the official IPL Twitter account. Check out what Captain cool said:
For the two captains, Mandhana and Harmanpreet, Kohli wished, "Take out your teams on the park and play with the passion that you have shown for the nation. Show people what they should look forward to when they come and watch the women's T20 league as well. I wish you guys all the best and we will all be watching keenly. Good luck."
Indian women are teaming up with leading international players like New Zealand's Suzie Bates, Australia's Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt and England's Danielle Wyatt who are all a part of the game.
Feature Image Credit: Indian Express
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