Indian bowlers have opened the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final against England at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Sunday with a bang (January 29). Archana Devi is taking the lead with two early wickets and a jaw-dropping fielding performance.
Devi bowled Ryana MacDonald-Gay in the 12th over with a stunning one-handed stunner. Archana dove to her right at mid-off and snatched a worldy with an aerial attempt.
Indian captain Shafali Verma chose to field first, and her choice resulted in an immediate victory in the final of the first ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup. Titas Sadhu, the in-form bowler, removed Liberty Heap with a return catch in the first over, and Indian bowlers controlled the remainder of the innings.
Archana dismissed English skipper Grace Scrivens and bowled out Niamh Holland in the fourth over of the innings to destroy the opposition’s top order. MacDonald-Gay led England in scoring with 19 runs from 24 balls before being dismissed by Archana’s soaring effort.
Sonam Yadav, a 15-year-old left-arm spinner, dismissed Sophia Smale in the 18th over as England’s innings ended on 68 runs. Titas was the best bowler for India, taking two wickets while giving just six runs in her four-over performance, while Archana and Parhavi Chopra also took two wickets each.
With just 68 runs to go, the Indian squad would be pleased with their bowling performance. Archana has been outstanding in India’s World Cup campaign, taking eight wickets at a 4.77 economy rate. With 11 wickets from six innings, Parshavi has been India’s highest wicket-taker in the competition, while Shweta Sehrawat has led the scoring table with 292 runs from six innings.
