India women vs Malaysia women, India women reached the Asian Games 2023 semi-finals as their quarter-final against Malaysia was washed out after just 2 balls in the second innings following India’s target-setting innings of 174 runs.
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India vs Malaysia: Introduction:
The Asian Games 2023 witnessed a thrilling quarter-final clash between India’s women’s cricket team and Malaysia’s women’s cricket team, marked by dramatic twists, a rain-soaked battlefield, and an unexpected path to the semi-finals. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the riveting highlights of this intense encounter, showcasing the resilience of the Indian team in the face of unexpected challenges. 🇮🇳🌦️
India’s Dominance in the Opening Overs 🏏
The match began with high anticipation as Malaysia won the toss and opted to bowl first. India’s opening duo, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, displayed aggressive intent right from the start. In the first two overs, they pushed the score to 15 without losing a wicket. 🏏
Malaysia’s Missed Opportunity in the Field 🤦♂️
Despite India’s aggressive start, Malaysia had their chances to break through. Shefali Varma, India’s explosive opener, handed an easy catch to long-on in the fourth over, but Malaysia’s fielders couldn’t hold on. This let-off proved to be crucial as India continued to build their innings steadily. 🇲🇾🙌
Rain Halts Play, India on the Brink of a Strong Total 🌧️☔
However, just as India seemed to be gaining momentum, the weather had other plans. A steady drizzle interrupted play in Hangzhou. Fortunately, it was not torrential rain, and there was hope for a resumption. At this point, India was at 60/1 in 5.4 overs, with Smriti Mandhana losing her wicket in an attempt to clear the boundary ropes. 🌦️🌧️
The Drama of Rain Delays 🌧️🌦️
The rain delay created a sense of uncertainty among players and fans alike. Would the weather relent? Could the match resume? Hangzhou’s renowned ground was known for its quick-drying capabilities, offering a glimmer of hope. Yet, with every passing moment, the suspense grew. ⏳🤞
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Absence 🏏
Adding to the intrigue, the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur was felt keenly. Her suspension, following an outburst in India’s final ODI against Bangladesh, meant that India’s squad was missing a seasoned campaigner in this crucial encounter. This absence further added to the challenges faced by the Indian team. 😔🇮🇳
India Crosses the 100-Run Mark 🚀
As the rain finally eased, and the ground showed signs of recovery, India resumed their innings with determination. The 10th over marked a significant milestone as India crossed the 100-run mark. Both Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues contributed significantly, matching each other stroke for stroke. Their partnership was crucial in building a formidable total. 💪💯
| Over | India’s Score |
|---|---|
| 10 | 111/1 |
Shafali Verma’s Dominance 💥
One of the standout performances of the innings was Shafali Verma’s explosive batting. She reached her half-century in style, hitting her 50th T20 six, a testament to her power-hitting prowess. Verma’s aggressive approach put Malaysia on the back foot and set the stage for a commanding total. 🎯🏏
India vs Malaysia: Shafali’s Injury Scare 😨
However, amidst her explosive batting display, Shafali Verma faced a moment of anxiety when she copped a blow on her right wrist while trying to avoid a shot from Jemimah in the non-striker’s end. The medical staff rushed onto the field to provide immediate attention, and the incident momentarily halted the game. The sight of India’s star player in distress was a tense moment for both teams’ supporters. 🚑😰
India’s Dominance in the Middle Overs 🏏
Following Shafali Verma’s half-century, India continued to dominate Malaysia in the middle overs. The scoreboard was ticking over at a rapid rate, and the Indian team was well on course to set a challenging target for Malaysia. Jemimah Rodrigues, who was batting alongside Shafali, was also nearing her half-century. The partnership between these two talented batters was a sight to behold. 🏏🇮🇳
Richa Ghosh’s Late Heroics 🚀
As India approached the final phase of their innings, Richa Ghosh emerged as a hero with a late cameo. She hammered 21 runs off just 7 balls, providing the finishing touches to India’s innings. Her explosive hitting pushed India’s total further beyond Malaysia’s reach. 🌟💥
India Sets a Mammoth Total: 173/2 in 15 Overs 🏏
In the end, India managed to post a mammoth total of 173/2 in their allotted 15 overs. It was a dominant performance from the Indian women’s cricket team, showcasing their prowess with both bat and ball. The stage was set for Malaysia to chase down this challenging target, but the weather had other plans. ☀️🏏
Rain Stops Play Once Again ☔
After India’s commanding innings, the rain made a reappearance. Right after the second ball of Malaysia’s innings was bowled by Puja Vastrakar, the skies opened up once more. The frustrating stop-start nature of the match continued to test the patience of both players and fans. Malaysia’s chances were further diminished as the rain continued to play spoilsport. ☔🌦️
India’s Superior Seeding Proves Decisive 🌟
With the match halted due to rain, the fate of both teams hung in the balance. However, India held the advantage due to their higher seeding in the competition. The tournament organizers had implemented a rule that favored teams with superior rankings in case of a washout. This rule came to India’s rescue as they were declared winners of the quarter-final encounter, propelling them into the semi-finals. A mixture of joy and disappointment filled the air as India celebrated their progression, while Malaysia rued the unfortunate weather conditions. 🇮🇳🌟
Conclusion: India’s Resilience Shines Through 🌦️🇮🇳
The quarter-final clash between India and Malaysia at the Asian Games 2023 was marked by thrilling cricket, rain delays, and a semi-final berth determined by seeding. India’s dominance with the bat, spearheaded by Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh’s heroics, was evident, even though the weather had other ideas. While the rain ultimately played spoilsport, India’s superior seeding proved to be their saving grace, securing their spot in the semi-finals. 🏏🌧️
As fans eagerly await the next installment of this gripping tournament, one thing is certain – India’s women’s cricket team has shown remarkable resilience and determination, overcoming all obstacles to progress one step closer to Asian Games glory. 🇮🇳🏆