Indore: Unexpected rain made an unwelcome appearance at Indore on Saturday, forcing the groundstaff at the Holkar Stadium to cover the ground completely. It disrupted the preparations of India and England as both were forced to cancel their pre-match practice sessions. Fortunately, the weather forecast for Sunday, when Indian women resume their campaign after a week’s break in a crucial World Cup match, is for a sunny day.
As the hosts aim to secure a semifinal berth, a victory over England would serve as the perfect ‘Diwali gift’ for the nation. This cricket-mad central Indian city is adorned with decorative lights and diyas as it soaks in the festive spirit. It is now up to captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her team to enhance that feelgood factor by elevating their performance for the expected packed house of 30,000 fans. It will be the first time that Indian women will play an ODI at the Holkar Stadium.
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While they started their journey with victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, India’s campaign soon faltered as they suffered consecutive defeats to South Africa and Australia. Having already flunked half the litmus test that SENA countries were anticipated to put India through in this World Cup, the hosts now seek to overcome England, who have remained unbeaten. They narrowly escaped defeat in their last match against Pakistan, where they collapsed to 79 for seven before rain intervened. India triumphed over England in England winning the ODI series 2-1 earlier in the year. However, the pressure of a must-win World Cup match presents a different challenge.
In a significant boost for England, their head coach Charlotte Edwards confirmed during the pre-match press conference that star left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone and pacer Lauren Bell, who missed the match against Pakistan due to illness, have recovered in time for this crucial encounter. England will also rely heavily on their captain and star all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt, who scored 117 to influence their 89-run win over Sri Lanka.
India are currently fourth on the table, while England are third. England need just one more win to guarantee a semifinal berth. India need to win two out of their three remaining matches to guarantee a top-four berth.
The hosts will need to consider adding a sixth bowler and reinstating ace pacer Renuka Singh Thakur to strengthen their attack. India’s World Cup campaign faced setbacks following successive three-wicket losses in Visakhapatnam, where the team failed to defend totals of 251 and 330 on a flat pitch, casting doubts about their strategy of utilising only five regular bowlers and packing the team with allrounders.
As the hosts aim to secure a semifinal berth, a victory over England would serve as the perfect ‘Diwali gift’ for the nation. This cricket-mad central Indian city is adorned with decorative lights and diyas as it soaks in the festive spirit. It is now up to captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her team to enhance that feelgood factor by elevating their performance for the expected packed house of 30,000 fans. It will be the first time that Indian women will play an ODI at the Holkar Stadium.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
While they started their journey with victories against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, India’s campaign soon faltered as they suffered consecutive defeats to South Africa and Australia. Having already flunked half the litmus test that SENA countries were anticipated to put India through in this World Cup, the hosts now seek to overcome England, who have remained unbeaten. They narrowly escaped defeat in their last match against Pakistan, where they collapsed to 79 for seven before rain intervened. India triumphed over England in England winning the ODI series 2-1 earlier in the year. However, the pressure of a must-win World Cup match presents a different challenge.
In a significant boost for England, their head coach Charlotte Edwards confirmed during the pre-match press conference that star left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone and pacer Lauren Bell, who missed the match against Pakistan due to illness, have recovered in time for this crucial encounter. England will also rely heavily on their captain and star all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt, who scored 117 to influence their 89-run win over Sri Lanka.
India are currently fourth on the table, while England are third. England need just one more win to guarantee a semifinal berth. India need to win two out of their three remaining matches to guarantee a top-four berth.
The hosts will need to consider adding a sixth bowler and reinstating ace pacer Renuka Singh Thakur to strengthen their attack. India’s World Cup campaign faced setbacks following successive three-wicket losses in Visakhapatnam, where the team failed to defend totals of 251 and 330 on a flat pitch, casting doubts about their strategy of utilising only five regular bowlers and packing the team with allrounders.
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