India Dominate Netherlands in Women's T20 World Cup
Leeds, June 17: India delivered a commanding performance in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, defeating Netherlands by 95 runs at Headingley on Wednesday. The victory was built on a sensational all-round display from Shafali Verma, another masterclass from Smriti Mandhana, and a four-wicket haul from Shree Charani.
Opting to bat first, India posted a formidable 209/5 in 20 overs, their highest total in T20 World Cup history. Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 74 off 47 balls, while Shafali Verma contributed a blistering 55. Shree Charani then wreaked havoc with 4/19, supported by Shafali's 3/20 and Nandni Sharma's 2/22, as Netherlands were bowled out for 114 in 17.3 overs.
India's Batting Fireworks
Netherlands won the toss and elected to field, a decision they soon regretted. The Indian opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma launched a relentless assault, racing to 48/0 in five overs. The powerplay yielded 59/0, India's best ever in T20 World Cups, with Smriti on 24 and Shafali on 26. At the 10-over mark, India were 96/0, with Shafali unbeaten on 49.
Shafali reached her maiden T20 World Cup fifty in 34 balls, smashing nine fours. India brought up their 100 in just 10.5 overs, the fastest in their T20 World Cup history. The opening partnership of 115 runs was broken by Heather Siegers, who dismissed Shafali for 55 off 38 balls, including 10 fours. This was the duo's fifth century stand in women's T20Is, joint second-highest overall.
Smriti continued her sublime form, notching back-to-back fifties in 36 balls, with six fours and a six. She launched Silver Siegers for four consecutive boundaries in the 15th over, taking India to 159/1. Smriti eventually fell for 74 off 47 balls, with 11 fours and a six, leaving India at 162/2 in 16 overs. Jemimah Rodrigues (19 off 13) and Yastika Bhatia (3) departed soon after, but Richa Ghosh (20* off 8), skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (12 off 9), and Deepti Sharma (10* off 2) powered India to 209/5, their highest T20 World Cup total. Caroline de Lenge was the pick of the Dutch bowlers with 2/32.
Netherlands' Chase Collapses
Chasing 210, Netherlands started steadily, with Heather Siegers (21 off 15) and Phebe Molkenboer putting on 34 runs before Nandni Sharma struck. At the end of six overs, Netherlands were 39/1. Babette de Leede joined Molkenboer, and the pair took the score to 50 in 7.2 overs, but Deepti Sharma removed Molkenboer for 15. At the halfway mark, Netherlands were 68/2.
In the middle overs, Shafali and Nandni tightened the screws. Shafali dismissed Sterre Kalis (18), and Nandni removed Babette (28), leaving Netherlands at 96/4 in 13.4 overs. From there, Shafali and Shree Charani ran through the lower order, with Charani finishing with 4/19 and Shafali 3/20. Netherlands collapsed to 114 all out in 17.3 overs, handing India a comprehensive 95-run victory.
Group A Standings
With this win, India top Group A with four points, having won both their matches. Netherlands, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to stay in contention.
