India could not have asked for a poorer start. In the Women’s World Cup opener against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, at one stage, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team was sitting pretty at 120/2, but suddenly the table turned, and India were 124/6 in no time. All thanks to some superb bowling by the Sri Lankan spinner Inoka Ranaweera, who picked up three wickets in one over — ousting Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur in a space of five deliveries, in the 27th over.
Inoka Ranaweera Causes Major Collapse
Yes, the Sri Lankan bowlers were aided by the long spell of rain, that made the pitch a little damp, but the way the three batters were dismissed, was nothing short of abominable. Batting on 48, Deol played a nothing short, hitting it straight to Kavisha Dilhari. Then the very next ball, she castled Jemimah, followed by Harman’s cut shot, into the keeper’s gloves.
India’s Middle-order Fails
India’s collapse did not end there, as in the very next over, Chamari Aththapathu removed out-of-form Richa Ghosh as well. Earlier, Ranaweera had gotten rid of Pratika Rawal for 37 as well. So, all in all it was a poor showing by the Indian batters, at a time they were set.
Before the match started, India made a surprise selection pick, as they left out seasoned pacer Renuka Thakur. Instead, Sree Charani and Kranti Gaud were preferred. Plus, as expected, three spinners were picked.
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