Commonwealth Games 2022: India in a do-or-die situation, to take on Barbados with eyes on cricket semifinals
India Today
India have no option but to beat Barbados if they have to qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games semi-finals. The match will take place on August 3 and will begin at 10.30 pm IST.
India have yet again found themselves in a must-win match. Months after losing their do-or-die league match during the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup, the Women in Blue are back to square one where they have no option but to overcome the unpredictable Barbados if they have to qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games semi-finals.
India, whose elimination was West Indies' gain during the ODI World Cup, have a good opportunity to take revenge against West Indies, who are being represented by Barbados in the multi-sport event in Birmingham. India and Barbados will clash in their final Group A fixture on Wednesday (August 3). The match begins at 10.30 pm IST.
Harmanpreet Kaur-led India bounced back in their second CWG match against arch-rivals Pakistan. Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav took two wickets each to bundle out Pakistan for just 99 in a rain-hit match. In reply, India on the back of Smriti Mandhana's unbeaten 63 off just 42 balls won the match by eight wickets with 38 balls to spare. The match would have boosted India's confidence after having slipped the opening game against Australia. During the first match, Renuka Singh Thakur's four-wicket haul helped India to reduce Australia to 49/5 before they lost the plot.With India all-roudner Pooja Vastrakar, who is considered as one of the best finishers in the lineup and has the ability to get breakthroughs, joining the team after recovering from Covid-19, India have received further boost ahead of taking on Barbados. On the other hand, Barbados started their campaign on a high before their ship sunk in the second match. Barbados stood tall against Pakistan spinners but when they met Australia, Barbados fell flat on their face as they were all out for 64. Barbados would look to rework on their plans in all departments if they are to repeat the history with India.
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, S. Meghana, Taniyaa Bhatia, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Thakur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana.
Barbados: Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shanika Bruce, Shai Carrington, Shaunte Carrington, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Keila Elliott, Trishan Holder, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Alisa Scantlebury, Shakera Selman, Tiffany Thorpe, Aaliyah Williams.
