NZW vs INDW T20 1st T20I, India Women Tour of New Zealand, 2019 - Commentary

Right then! Velocity are through to the finals and they will face Supernovas on Saturday, 28th May at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) for the mega-event. Join us early for the build up. There is a huge game in the Indian T20 League as well, as Rajasthan will face Bangalore in Qualifier 2 on 27th May at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Do join us for the build-up there as well. Lots of cricketing action coming up but for now, it is goodbye!

Jemimah Rodrigues has been adjudged as the Player of the Match for her scintillating knock of 66 runs in 44 balls.

Smriti Mandhana, the winning skipper of Trailblazers says they knew the scenarios but she is happy that her team put in a really good effort. Adds that Kiran Navgire took the game away but she was happy to see someone hit so big, not as an opposite captain but as an Indian player, it was good to see. Tells that the plan was to take wickets of Velocity's top order and they did pretty well but Kiran Navgire came out of the box and took the final dream away from them. Shares that a big year is coming up for the Indian team,  lot of T20 cricket going forward and hopes to win as many matches as possible. She will go back work on her fitness and come back strong. Mentions that she will support Velocity in the finals as they haven't won yet.

Time for the presentation...

Kiran Navgire is in for a chat. She says that she was very excited to bat in this game as she was not able to use her sword in the last game. Mentions she was hyped up after she was informed that she is pushed up the order. Adds that she just tried to stick to her game and only focused on taking her side over the line. Further says that she loves hitting sixes and always aims to better her ability. Ends by saying Deepti Sharma believed in her from the beginning and is glad to pay back her side with an incredible innings.

Deepti Sharma, the captain of Velocity, is in for a chat. She starts by saying they are excited to play in the finals. Mentions, the second half of the game was outstanding. Also praises the effort of Kiran Navgire who just amused everyone present in the stadium. Adds they set up the batting order keeping in mind the conditions and the situation they are in. Says that they will try to focus on their bowling and fielding as they head into the finals.

Earlier in the innings after losing the toss, Trailblazers posted a good score, courtesy a huge partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues and Sabbhineni Meghana. Sophia Dunkley and Hayley Matthews gave the finishing touches and it was over the bowlers to restrict Velocity inside the qualifying margin. They failed to do so but they will be happy to finish on a high. Stay tuned for interviews...

Kiran Navgire has made a huge impression in her first ever outing in the Womens T20 Challenge 2022. Two debutants scored fifty in their first outing but it was an entertaining effort from Kiran Navgire who came out with the bang bang mantra and was dealing with boundaries. There was not much effort from the other batters and Deepti Sharma will hope they do much better in the finals.

Trailblazers were always chasing the game and it was a pretty good first half from them. They posted a good target and gave bowlers a good amount to bowl at but they had to pull a rabbit out of the hat to qualify for the finals. Trailblazers leaked runs in the Powerplay and then Kiran Navgire took all the hopes away as she batted with an aggressive mindset. They took wickets but it was too late for them to qualify further and due to the inferior net run rate. They will be happy that they finish the tournament on a high.

Trailblazers have won but at what cost as Velocity cruise through the finals. It was a tall target and they did well to cheap wickets but a smashing innings from Kiran Navgire took the game away from them and Velocity did enough to go past the 159-run qualifying mark.