Defeating Ireland by 5 runs India entered the Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals on Monday at St. George’s Oval in Port Elizabeth on Monday. Harmanpreet Kaur and Co made it to the Semis by five runs on DLS score in their final Group B fixture.
Chasing a target of 156 runs, Ireland reached 54 for two in 8.2 overs, before rain stopped play. Gaby Lewis and Laura Delany were building a steady partnership of 53 runs, with the former registering 32* off 25 balls. Meanwhile, Laura Delany was at 17* off 20 deliveries. Renuka Singh was in good form and bagged a dismissal.
Intially, India posted 155 for six in 20 overs, with Mandhana clattering nine fours and three sixes. She was the top performer for India with a 56-ball-87 as India registered 155/6. Mandhana stitched together a 50-run partnership with Shafali Verma and although wickets fell in a heap at one point, she continued to play confidently. Jemimah Rodrigues ended the innings well with a hard-fought 19.
Meanwhile, opener Shafali Verma also made a crucial contribution of 24 runs off 29 balls. Ireland steadied their innings after Amy Hunter was run out while Renuka Singh made short work of Orla Prendergast, with Laura Delany scalping three dismissals.
The women in blue are expected to lock horns with Australia in the knockout stage.