NEWS
Follow UsIndia had the best start possible to the Commonwealth Games with the bat against Australia. They were also on top of Australia in the second innings during the run-chase but an inspired innings from Ashleigh Gardner took the Women in Yellow to a prison-break like win.
However, since then, India have not put a step wrong, with massive wins over both Pakistan and Barbados in consecutive games. Ahead of the semi-final clash against England, India women’s head coach, Ramesh Powar stated that the team is still ‘evolving’ and hopes to get the best out of them.
"We are an evolving team and processes and plans will change. We are trying to get the best out of them," Powar said on the eve of India's semifinal against England.
21-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues, who was entrusted with the responsibility of playing at No.3, starred with a vital 56 against Barbados in a must-win clash for the Women in Blue. Powar stated that Rodrigues’ form in England tilted the decision in her favour.
"We felt Jemi is ready for this as she has been playing in England for a while. We thought we will take a chance on her," he added.
Mid-way through the tournament, India made a switch, bringing in Taniya Bhatia instead of Yastika Bhatia, a move that has worked out well.”
"When you come into a marquee event, you are ready with the players and all 15 are available. It's not a bilateral where you are trying out a player and see what she can do it. It is a marquee event and we want to use whatever we have in our arsenal.
"We felt Taniya could be a game changer as far as wicket-keeping is concerned as we are playing with quality bowlers and she has been very good and I think keeping aspect becomes different when we pick her," said Powar.
The last time these two sides faced each other in the shortest format, it was in 2020, during the semi-final of the T20 World Cup. However, that clash was washed out, with India progressing through to the final of the event.
