Hoping to see the seniors return to the playing XI, the Indian team will look to continue their winning streak when they take on the West Indies in the Women’s T20 Tri-Series match in East London on Monday. The Indians, without skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in the victory over hosts South Africa, gave a good account of themselves in their opener. The captain missed the game against South Africa due to illness and it remains to be seen if she will return for the game against the West Indies, who suffer a major defeat against the home side.
India’s playing XI also lacked returning Shikha Pandey, Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar in their first match.
Debutant Amanjot Kaur, who received the India cap from Deputy Skipper Smriti Mandhana, made her maiden appearance a memorable one with a fine performance.
India faltered at one point with 69 for five and then made a fighting 147 for six after Amanjot’s 30-ball 41 while batting at number seven.
Fittingly, she was named Player of the Match in a 27-point victory.
Regardless of whether the seniors return or not against the West Indies, there will certainly be a bit of focus on 21-year-old Amanjot here on Monday as the Women in Blue look to consolidate their position in the tournament.
“It’s an unreal feeling. I never thought my first game for India would go like this. This is my first press conference. And to be the Player of the Match – that was even more unexpected,” Amanjot said here after the opening game. .
The tri-series is important as it is the final tournament before the Women’s T20 World Cup South Africa is hosting next month. The tri-series ends on February 2.
While some seniors have fallen ill and teenage sensations Shafali Verma and Richa Gosh are busy with their U-19 World Cup commitments, India can enlist the services of their ever-reliable senior all-rounder, Deepti Sharma.
Deepti was at her best against the South Africans, scoring a 23-ball 33 and taking 3/30 in a brilliant all-round performance. She will be looking for an encore in the upcoming game.
As for the West Indies, they will have to improve in all departments if they want to challenge the Indians.
Indian Team: Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Devika Vaidya, Sabbhineni Meghana, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Shikha Pandey, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Sushma Verma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh Thakur, Meghna Singh, Anjali Sarvani, Sneh Rana, Amanjot Kaur.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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