In-form India seek first final spot in ICC Women's T20 WC, take on England in semis

Firm title contenders after a sensational unbeaten run in group sts, India will have to ensure a solid all-round performance to get better of formidable England in semifinals of ICC women's T20 World Cup here on Thursday. India have been best side so far and y would be seeking ir maiden final appearance in showpiece's history with a win over England on Thursday. In earlier seven editions, India have never reached final but this time, y have emerged as serious title contenders after a string of superlative performances.  

In-form India seek first final spot 

y began with a win over defending champions Australia and since n have gared strength with every match, beating Bangladesh, New Zealand and Sri Lanka to top group A with eight points from four matches. Indians are in red-hot form, but history favours England as y have won all five matches played between two sides in this tournament. last time, two teams met in a T20 World Cup, England won by eight wickets in semifinals in West Indies.

Before that, India lost in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2016 editions -- all in group sts. "After losing last semifinal, as a team we realised we have to work as a unit, and right w you will see that our team is working as a unit and we are t reliant on just one or two players," India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said, referring to semifinals loss in 2018.  Seven players in this Indian team played in that semifinal and y would be looking to turn tables on Englishwomen this time. 

Indians will also take confidence from win against England in tri-series in Australia ahead of this World Cup. On form, most of Indians are in top form with teen sensation Shafali Verma being leading batter, having scored 161 runs in four innings, which has seen her rise to top spot in ICC women's T20 rankings. With a batting aver of 40.25, 16-year-old is on third spot among leading run-getters in tournament, followed by England's Natalie Sciver (202) and Hear Knight (193).

One-down Jemimah Rodrigues is also in good touch and has made useful contributions though she has t scored big so far, with 34 being her highest. middle-order has also stepped up whenever needed with Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav making ir presence felt in different matches. two most experienced players in skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Smriti Mandhana have, however, t been living up to expectations and semifinals could be ir big comeback.

In bowling department, leg-spinner Poonam Yadav is on top of tournament chart with nine wickets from four matches. She has been ably supported by Shikha Pandey (7 from 4 matches). For England, who have qualified for semifinals after finishing second in group B with three wins and one loss, batting has been ir strength.  Natalie has plundered 202 runs with an aver of 67.33, including three fifties, and Indians will have to find a way to stop her in her tracks.  In bowling department also, England have likes of left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone (8 wickets) and pacer Anya Shrubsole (7 wickets) who are at second and third spot in tournament chart.

Teams

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Harleen Deol, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Richa Ghosh, Pooja Vastrakar.

England: Hear Knight (Captain), Tammy Beaumont, Karine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones (wk), Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt. 

Match Starts at 9:30 am IST. 

Im credits: AP