At the Mumbai Cricket Association’s ground in Bandra Kurla Complex on Tuesday, India’s Under-19 women’s team put on another strong showing to defeat New Zealand’s development team by 110 runs in the second T20 of the five-match series. Hurley Gala had a good day all around, and G Trisha and Archana Devi both displayed impressive bat and ball skills.
In a critical pre-tournament series before the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, which begins in South Africa in January, Shweta Sehrawat and co. have a 2-0 lead after winning the opening T20 by seven wickets. India ended with a solid score of 176/6 from their 20 overs after choosing to bat first after winning the toss.
The visitors battled with the bat once more in their reply, scoring just 66 runs in 15 overs. Soumya Tiwari and captain Sehrawat helped India get off to a strong start. Although the New Zealand bowlers initially made an effort to keep things tight, both right-handers kept the scoreboard moving by punishing the loose deliveries.
Tiwari, who had scored a match-winning 52* off 33 in the previous game, once again displayed some finesse through the cover region and this time scored 31 off 27. In contrast, Sehrawat, who was out after hitting a four-ball duck in the opening T20, hit seven fours in her 24-ball 34.
The extraordinarily gifted Trisha, who entered at No. 3, struck out the first six batters of the series and finished with the most points in the game with 36 off 26. The right-hander constantly took the aerial path with assurance and was a key player for her team during the middle overs. Hrishita Basu, the wicketkeeper, added significant value with the bat with two scoops and two strong square cutters over point for fours.
After New Zealand had taken two wickets for nine runs in the middle overs, she came out fighting and gave India the initiative. Gala gave the Indian innings its final flourish. The right-hander gave up her wicket for an extra run and was run out for 13 off 7. Overall, India’s batting display was encouraging. Trisha’s 36 was the highest score of the innings, but the fact that they totaled 176 runs demonstrates that there were contributions from all positions in the batting order.
Gala once again set the tone with the ball with a strong opening spell. She bowled the opening three overs on her home field in front of a sizable family gathering, returning with figures of 3/18. The all-around right-arm pacer also picked up 3/18 in the first game. With scores of 3/15, Archana Devi, though, stood out as the day’s best bowler.
The off-spinner, who hadn’t participated in the previous game, pitched the ball well and obtained some sharp turns. Izzy Gaze, who entered the crease at No. 4 and scored the most runs for New Zealand with 17 off 20 runs, was one of the victims she claimed.
India will be eager to complete the series sweep when the two teams meet at the same venue on Thursday for the third T20. India has dominated all departments in the first two games, with their fielding continuing to impress as well.