Birmingham, First Published Jul 22, 2022, 6:05 PM IST
Birmingham: Only days are left for women’s cricket to make its debut at the Commonwealth Games (Commonwealth Games 2022). The Indian Women’s Cricket Team also competes in the T20 format. The common assumption is that five-time T20 World Cup champions Australia are the Commonwealth favourites. But Indian opener Smriti Mandhana has come out against seeing Aussies as horns.
“We have faced Australia in the opening game in several tournaments. Any team can beat anyone in T20. I wouldn’t describe Aussies as a big team. From our point of view, the matches against Australia, Pakistan and Barbados are all crucial. Aim to win every match. Our preparations are very good. It is hoped that it will lead to a Commonwealth medal,” said Smriti Manthana.
Commonwealth Games cricket matches are divided into two groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. The first place in each group will face the second place in the opposite group in the semi-finals. The winners will face each other in the final. The losing teams in the semi-finals will fight for third place for the bronze medal. Australia, Barbados, India and Pakistan are in Group A and England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka are in Group B. Cricket’s last appearance was at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. It was a men’s cricket tournament.
As the hosts, England qualified directly for cricket at the Commonwealth Games. Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan have also qualified based on the ICC Women’s T20 rankings. Barbados and Sri Lanka will reach the Games through qualifiers. This time on July 29, the matches in the T20 format will begin with the match between Australia and India. Then there is the India-Pak match. The Indian team was announced earlier.
Indian Team: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Manthana, Shefali Verma, Sabineni Meghana, Tania Bhatia, Yashtika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gaekwad, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh, Jamima Rodriguez, Radha Yadav, Harleen Deol, Sneh Rana.
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Last Updated Jul 22, 2022, 6:08 PM IST
