In a bad stick display, Harmanpreet’s team loses four counters for four points

India could not have asked for a poorer start. In the Women’s World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, at one stage, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team was sitting pretty at 120/2, but suddenly the table turned, and India were 124/6 in no time. All thanks to some superb bowling by the Sri Lankan spinner Inoka Ranaweera, who picked up three wickets in one over — ousting Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur in a space of five deliveries, in the 27th over.

Inoka Ranaweera Causes Major Collapse

Yes, the Sri Lankan bowlers were aided by the long spell of rain, that made the pitch a little damp, but the way the three batters were dismissed, was nothing short of abominable. Batting on 48, Deol played a nothing short, hitting it straight to Kavisha Dilhari. Then the very next ball, she castled Jemimah, followed by Harman’s cut shot, into the keeper’s gloves.

India’s Middle-order Fails

India’s collapse did not end there, as in the very next over, Chamari Aththapathu removed out-of-form Richa Ghosh as well. Earlier, Ranaweera had gotten rid of Pratika Rawal for 37 as well. So, all in all it was a poor showing by the Indian batters, at a time they were set.

Before the match started, India made a surprise selection pick, as they left out seasoned pacer Renuka Thakur. Instead, Sree Charani and Kranti Gaud were preferred. Plus, as expected, three spinners were picked.

Editor’s Pick

Cricket

IND vs WI 1st Test: Bumrah, Axar & Reddy India’s selection dilemma

Top Stories