Photo Credit: ICC
India record-breaker Deepti Sharma was eager to provide a reminder of her talents ahead of a six-wicket victory over the West Indies in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, according to captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Sharma finished with figures of three for 15 and became the first Indian to take 100 T20I wickets at Newlands as her side took a giant stride towards the knockout stages.
The off-spinner conceded 39 runs in India’s opening win over Pakistan but was back at her best to scoop the Player of the Match award as she helped restrict West Indies to 118 for six.
Richa Ghosh (44 not out) and skipper Kaur (33) saw India over the finish line with 11 balls to spare as they moved level with Group B leaders England, who they play on Saturday, on net run rate.
On a track favourable to spinners in Gqeberha, Sharma will once again be key and crucially for India, she heads into that fixture in fine form.
“We discussed Deepti’s bowling in the team meeting because she was not happy with what she did in the last game but the bowling coach helped and she got the result today,” said Kaur.
“I think it was a great day for us. We did really well with our bowling.
“We are happy with the result and now the next game is really important. We just want to continue this rhythm into the next game.”
While Sharma will pose a huge threat with the ball, Smriti Mandhana will be a key figure with the bat.
She made 10 on her return from injury but Kaur had no concerns over her performance and is confident her vice-captain will come good.
“Smriti Mandhana has been great for us,” said Kaur.
“She is doing well and we’re happy she is back. She is a dangerous batter.”
Kaur could have no such concerns over the form of Ghosh, who at the age of just 19 underlined her star potential with a brilliant innings in Cape Town.
Ghosh was one of India’s most consistent performers in their ICC U19s Women’s T20 World Cup triumph and Kaur lavished praise on her newest star.
“I’m really happy she’s in that form because she is a very dangerous batter whenever she expresses herself,” she said.
Windies vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle was left to bemoan a batting collapse that prevented her side setting a more competitive total.
They looked well on their way to a big score before losing three wickets for two runs, including set batters Campbelle (30) and Stafanie Taylor (42), who both fell to Sharma in the 14th over.
“We didn’t get as many runs as we were looking for,” said Campbelle.
“We thought 150 would be a good, fighting total for us today.
“We need at least one of the top three to bat through to the end to get the runs we are looking for.”
She and her teammates will be sweating on the fitness of opener Taylor, who looked back to her best form in her 40-ball knock before leaving the field on a stretcher while in the field.
It was a cruelly timed blow, with Karishma Ramharack having just given her side a lifeline after taking both openers’ wickets in quick succession on her way to miserly figures of two for 14 from four overs.
For Campbelle, Ramharack’s performance was a bright spot on an otherwise difficult day for the Windies.
“She has been bowling pretty well for a while,” said Campbelle.
“We just want her to continue, keep expressing herself and contributing to the team.”
