Indian women cricketers on top but their male counterparts have disappointed so far

By Kersi Meher-Homji

Do you remember the old song: Why can’t women be more like men? It was more funny than chauvinistic.

After India’s women cricketers performing magnificently in Australia in the Twenty20 World Cup and Indian male cricketers losing the first Test against New Zealand at Wellington, I feel like saying: Why can’t Indian men cricketers play more like Indian women cricketers?

India’s male cricketers lost the Wellington Test by 10 wickets in three days and a bit and started the second Test at Christchurch disappointingly.

On the other hand India’s female cricketers are on top down under in the T20 World Cup, winning all four matches and becoming the first country out of ten to qualify for the semi-final. They have beaten reigning champion Australia and another strong team New Zealand.

Their seven wicket victory over Sri Lanka yesterday has been their most convincing so far. With left-arm spinner Radha Yadav capturing her career best figures of 4 for 23, Sri Lanka could make only 9 for 113.

India reached the winning target with seven wickets and 32 balls in hand. Once again India was given a rousing start by 16 year-old opener Shafali Verma who hit 47 slam-bang runs with seven fours and a six. Her stroke play has been innovative, extraordinary and spell-binding.

Player of the match Radha Yadav said at the presentation: “I was just thinking to bowl stump-to-stump, keep it simple. As a bowling unit we did well.”

Hope this performance by the girls inspire Indian male cricketers under Virat Kohli to win the second Test at Christchurch next week to even out the Test series one-all.

Back to the women’s T20 World Cup. Tomorrow (Monday) Australia will meet New Zealand at Melbourne in a crucial decider. The winner will enter the semi-final. The loser will be out.

So come on Aussies come on, come on! And of course India, India!

 

Short URL: https://indiandownunder.com.au/?p=14912