Hoping to return their seniors, India hope to continue their winning streak when they face the West Indies in the women’s T20 try series match in east London on Monday.
Lacking skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in their victory over hosts South Africa, India posted a good record in the opening game.
The captain missed the match against South Africa due to ill health, and it remains to be seen if he will return to the West Indies after a crushing defeat to his home country.
India’s Playing 11 also missed her Shikha Pandey, Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar, who returned in the first game.
Debutante Amanjot Kaur was awarded the Indian cap by her stand-in skipper Smriti Mandana and made her first outing memorable with a good performance. Meanwhile, India struggled 69-5, 147-6 while batting in seventh place after Amanjot’s 30-ball 41. Fittingly, she was named Player of the Match for her 27-run win.
Whether or not her seniors return, there’s no doubt that the focus will be on 21-year-old Amanjot as The Woman in Blue looks to cement its place in the tournament.
She said, “It’s an unreal feeling. I never thought her first match in India would turn out like this. This is my first press conference. And being named Player of the Match was even more unexpected,” Amanjot said after the opening match here.
The try series is important as it is the final tournament leading up to the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa next month. 3 series she is scheduled to end on February 2nd.
Some seniors are sick and teen sensations like Shafali Verma and Richa Gosh are busy with their participation in her U-19 World Cup but India is always a reliable senior You can ask for the services of the all-rounder Deepti Sharma. Deepti delivered his best performance against South Africa, hitting 33 on 23 balls and going 3/30 for a great all-around performance. She hopes for an encore at her next match.
As for the West Indies, they need to improve in every department if they want to challenge the Indians.