CWG 2022: Team India will play a virtual quarterfinal against Barbados on August 3 in the Commonwealth Games 2022 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. India is placed second with 2 points from 2 games, with a healthy net run-rate of 1.165. Barbados, on the other hand, has 2 points from 2 games, with a negative run-rate of 1.794. A win for either side will take them into the semis along with Australia, who plays Pakistan earlier in a game of academic interest as the Aussies have already qualified for the knockouts.
Team India are favourites to win
India will be confident after their resounding win over arch-rivals Pakistan earlier. The big win by India –8 wickets and 38 balls remaining – helped boosted their net run rate. The star of the match was Smriti Mandhana who cracked 42-all 63 not out to steer India to the target of 100 in just 11.4 overs. Mandhana and Shafali Verma make a great opening pair, with Verma all about big hitting, while Mandhanashows her class through copy-book strokeplay. The two complement each other brilliantly and need another great start to give India the edge against Barbados.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was not required to bat against Pakistan, but in the match against Barbados being a virtual quarterfinal, the captain will have to bring her ace game to her table, both in batting and captaincy. India’s bowling department will also look to have a go at Barbados who were dismissed for just 64 in the clash against the Aussies. Overall, India is a strong competitive unit, but taking the opponents lightly will only breed complacency. Hence, India needs to put a strong team effort to move into the semis.
Key players: There are many players who could single-handedly win the game for India. But it would be Kaur who would be the key for India as the captain has the knack of producing brilliant knocks in crucial games. Also, once she is in flow, it is difficult to stop her.
Previous results: India has won three and lost 2 T20Is in their last 5 matches.
Probable XI: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Deepti Sharma, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh, Jemimah Rodrigues, Radha Yadav, S Meghana, Sneh Rana
𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑!
Clinical with the ball & splendid with the bat, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 by 8 wickets in their 2nd Commonwealth Games match. 👏 👏
Vice-captain @mandhana_smriti smashes 63*. 🙌 🙌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/6xtXSkd1O7 #B2022 #TeamIndia #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/MVUX3yFO4s
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) July 31, 2022
READ MORE: CWG 2022: India Eye For A Medal Despite Appalling Recent Records
Can Barbados cause an upset?
Barbados has blown hot and cold so far in the two matches. They began with a thrilling win over Pakistan, beating them by 15 runs. But in the next match against ODI and T20I World Cup champions Aussies, they were bowled out for an embarrassing 64. It showed the wide gulf between the top team and the newcomers to the international arena. But Barbados, who has 7 players with international experience while playing for West Indies, could give a scare to India, or even cause an upset if they bring their top game to the table.
Barbados captain Hayley Mathews will have to lead from the front as she did against Pakistan, scoring a match-winning 51, with Kycia Knight coming good with 62 not out. But their batting unit was just blown away by the Aussies. If Barbados can keep the loss behind and just focus on the basics, they can be a tough team to beat even for India. Barbados should take the loss just like a bad day in office, and put up a team effort to give India a run for their money. They should just look at the win against Pakistan to take inspiration from.
Key players: Captain Mathews would be the key player for Barbados as the whole batting revolves around her. She top-scored with 18 in the loss against Australia. She was the only batswoman to reach double figures for her team against the Aussies.
Previous results: So far, Barbados has won 1 and lost 1 in 2 T20Is so far.
Probable XI: Barbados: Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shanika Bruce, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Trishan Holder, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Alisa Scantlebury, Shakera Selman, Keila Elliott
Pitch Report
Edgbaston pitch in Birmingham will keep both batswomen and bowlers interested as it would provide the purchase, but would also allow the ball to come nicely onto the bat. But a team with a better batting unit has a far better chance of success on this pitch. So, batting well would be key.
Telecast Details:
TV: Sony Sports Network
Live Streaming: Sony Liv App
CWG 2022 Squads for India vs Barbados match
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Taniya Bhatia (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harleen Deol, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Sabbineni Meghana, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Meghna Singh, Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, Shafali Verma, Radha Yadav
Barbados: Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shanika Bruce, Shai Carrington, Shaunte Carrington, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Keila Elliott, Trishan Holder, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Alisa Scantlebury, Shakera Selman, Tiffany Thorpe, Aaliyah Williams
