OPINION
Follow UsThe most awaited tournament in the history of women's cricket, the Women's World Cup, is all set to commence from Friday, 4th March, with the inaugural match between hosts New Zealand and West Indies at the Bay Oval.
With eight teams vying for the coveted trophy across a month of riveting action across six venues, the iconic event is set to shatter stereotypes and carve a niche for women's sport at the international area.
The finalists of the last edition of the mega event held in England, all eyes will be on the Women in Blue when they set foot at the Bay Oval on Sunday 6th March against arch-rivals Pakistan for their first game of the high-voltage tournament.
Despite a 4-1 drubbing against the White Ferns in a five-match series, which was touted as a curtain-raiser before the World Cup, the team has gained momentum at the right time by winning the final game of the series along with the two warm-up matches.
Also read: India bloom late in the curtain-raiser ahead of the World Cup
With a plethora of youngsters in the squad, Mithali Raj shared insights on the mindset of the players and the team combinations in a press conference.
"They all have been given good game time, and the series has really helped them and me as a captain to find out where they fit in into the composition of the team," she said.
After ending the series against the White Ferns, the Women in Blue competed in two warm-up games before the commencement of the tournament, allowing Mithali and the team management to finalise their combinations before the much-awaited first match.
Here's how the team and the individual players fared in the twin games:
Harmanpreet Kaur finds form with a sublime century to help India edge past Proteas
In a nail-biting encounter, the Indian women team defeated South Africa in their first warm-up game by two runs at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora courtesy of a scintillating hundred by vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur and a four-wicket haul by Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
After electing to field first, the Women in Blue were in for a stutter as their premier batter, Smriti Mandhana, was stuck on the head by a Shabnim Ismail with the score reading 30 for no loss.
While she was assessed by the team doctor post the concussion protocols and deemed fit to continue, she was forced to retire hurt after an over and a half post another consultation.
One of the vital cogs in the batting unit of the Indian side, the southpaw was declared fit to continue her World Cup campaign, much to the delight of all the cricket frenzy fans of the world.
After a medical scare, Deepti Sharma walked in at number three to partner Yastika Bhatia. However, the all-rounder was caught behind for five runs by Ayabonga Khaka in the final over of the powerplay. And, as they were recovering from the early stutters, the Women in Blue were jolted with a massive wicket of the skipper for a two-ball duck, resulting in the side tottering at 35 for the loss of two wickets.
Coming in at number five, Harmanpreet Kaur joined the youngster in their bid to steady the innings and help the team score some valuable runs. The duo added 84 runs for the third wickets before Yastika was dismissed for a well-compiled half-century studded with four boundaries and one massive hit over the fence.
Despite the vice-captain of the side holding fort at one end, the Indian team lost a flurry of wickets in the middle-overs, and the onus to guide the team to safety relied heavily on Harmanpreet.
The 32-year old responded in a commanding fashion as she scored a classy century to mark her return to form days ahead of the event. Displaying an array of strokes all around the ground, she scored 104 runs off 114 deliveries, with nine boundaries to propel the side to 244 runs in their quota of 50 overs.
In pursuit of the target, South Africa got off to a dismal start losing two wickets with only 50 runs on the board in the first 15 overs. While the batting unit seemed to derail under pressure, Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus consolidated the innings with an 80-run partnership for the third wicket before the opener was dismissed for a well-made 83.
Despite laying a solid foundation at the top to chase down the target, the Proteas lost wickets in the middle-overs courtesy of the left-arm spin of Gayakwad. The 30-year old wreaked havoc in the middle overs to tilt the match in favour of the Indian side.
While the skipper fought hard with a valiant 86 off 98 deliveries, South Africa fell agonisingly short by two runs and finished on 242 for 7, conceding the game by just two runs.
Half-centuries from Smriti and Deepti propel India to an 81-run win
Smriti Mandhana scores a sublime 66 off 67 deliveries days after being struck on the head and leaving the field, much to every Indian fans' delight.
One of the most formidable opening combinations in world cricket, Shafali Verma and Mandhana walked in to bat after the coin landed in favour of Mithali Raj.
The swashbuckling opener did not bat in the first outing against South Africa and failed to create an impact in this encounter as Shafali was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the first over.
Despite an early jitter, Deepti Sharma joined forces with Mandhana to steady the innings and stitched a 117-run stand for the second wicket before Mandhana was dismissed in the 21st over.
With valuable contributions from Mithali and Yastika along with a half-century from Deepti, the Women in Blue managed 258 runs in the first innings.
The run chase was always going to a mountain to climb for the Windies, with the conditions conducive for swing bowling.
While Jhulan Goswami kept bowling one end tight with consistently bowling in the right areas, it was Meghna Singh and Pooja Vastrakar, who dented the opposition with twin blows.
After reeling at 27 for 2 in 11 overs, the West Indies outfit failed to recover from the blows. Despite a valiant half-century from Shemaine Campbelle, the Windies succumbed to an 81-run defeat.
