Clinical India demolish Barbados for spot in semifinals

India women vehemently marched into the semifinals of the Commonwealth Games following a clinical annihilation of Barbados Women at Edgbaston in Birmingham. They join Australia, England and New Zealand in the final four as everything that could go wrong for Barbados, did, on Wednesday (August 3).

India bossed the final Group A game with their batters first putting on a total of 162 and their bowlers stepping up for a comprehensive show. They got a good start from Shafali Verma initially, followed by an enterprising late stand between Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma that gave them an imposing total.

India were reduced to 92/4 before the pair came together for an unbeaten 70-run stand for the fifth wicket. Verma had given India the ideal start, belting four fours and a six in her 26-ball 43. A run out brought abut her downfall, putting an end to the 72-run stand between herself and Rodrigues for the second wicket. Barbados struck back with quick wickets with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur dismissed for a first-ball duck, but Rodriges (56*) and Deepti (34*) ensured there were no further hiccups in their bid to post on a strong total.

Barbados were never really in the chase, with a wicket off the third ball from Renuka Singh pegging them back from the onset. They never really recovered from the Renuka's strikes, who returned next over to dismiss Hayley Matthews. That the highest individual score for Barbados was 16 encapsulated their struggle on the night. The only other batter to get into double figures was No.9 Shakera Selman, who got 12. Renuka finished wih figures of 4 for 10, receiving ample support from the other end, as the bowlers bowled with precision to restrict Barbados to 62/8 in 20 overs. India reaped rewards for their discipline; they stuck to their lines despite the game being as good as done, holding them in good stead come the knockouts.

Brief scores: India Women 162-4 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 43, Jemimiah Rodrigues 56*, Deepti Sharma 34*) beat Barbados Women 62/8 in 20 overs (Renuka Singh 4-10) by 100 runs.