State girls shining bright

Rising to the occasion

The Indian eves have punched above their weight to be just one win away from clinching their maiden World Cup trophy.

In the ongoing quadrennial event, mighty teams like England, Australia and New Zealand have bowed to India’s brilliance. India’s sensational run has come on the back ofsome dazzling performances and the Karnataka duo of Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Veda Krishnamurthy has stood out.

Veda, a solid middle-order batswoman, didn’t get enough time at the crease in the first half of the tournament. India’s batting charge was led by the top three –– Smriti Mandhana, Punam Raut and captain Mithali Raj –– in the initial few games. India’s batting was tested in their defeats to Australia and South Africa and Veda failed to make any telling contributions in the two ties. However, the Chikamagalur girl, who trains at the Karnataka Institute of Cricket in Bengaluru, rose to the challenge in the do-or-die match against New Zealand.

In what was a virtual quarterfinal against the White Ferns, Veda smashed a quickfire half-century that lifted India to a formidable total. Batting first, Mithali’s (109) ton and Harmanpreet’s (60) had put India on course for a decent total but Veda’s 45-ball 70 powered India to 265 for seven.

The total was enough for India to register a thumping 186-run win.
Rajeshwari, hailing from Vijayapura, had to wait till the last round-robin game against New Zealand to play her first game but she announced her arrival in the World Cup in style with a five-wicket haul.

The left-arm spinner’s ability to provide breakthroughs helped India totally dominate the New Zealand batting. Chasing 266 for a place in the semifinal, the White Ferns batters were no match to Rajeshwari’s guile and skill and they were bundled out for 79. In the semifinals against defending champions Australia, Rajeshwari removed the dangerous looking Elyse Villani to help India hold control of the proceedings.

As they eye history on Sunday, India will hope the Karnataka girls would churn out another dashing show.