India vs Ireland Women T20 World Cup 2023: Reach Semis

Journey of Indian women’s cricket team has been thrilling till now in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. This journey is going to be more thrilling and astounding as India has entered into semifinals. 

India beat Ireland by 5 runs according to Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method (DLS) in the 18th match of the Group B fixture in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. 

India W had played their first innings and gave Ireland W target of 156 runs. While chasing the score, Ireland W reached 54 for 2 in 8.2 overs. But after that rain interrupted the match. Players went to the pavilion and covers came on the field. Rain abandoned the match. Then decision took that Team India won the match as per DLS method. If in the same overs of 8.2 Ireland had scored 59 runs then they would have won the match according to Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method (DLS). Must say India had a good luck on that day. 

The match was played at the St George's Park in Gqeberha in South Africa. It is the same ground in which India women had faced their first defeat against England women in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. Like real superstars, they forgot their defeat and came to take the field with confidence. Women in blue played an amazing game against Ireland women and saved their place in semifinals. 

The 18th match of Women’s World Cup 2023 has brought the third victory in the kitty of India women. 

Highlights: India vs Ireland, Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 

As usual India vs Ireland match started with a toss. Toss was won by India and they opted for batting. Devika Vaidya replaced Radha Yadav in Playing XI as she was not well. 

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma took strike for India women. Orla Prendergast opened for Ireland women. India women played very well for their team. Opener Smriti Mandhana made fabulous 87 runs from 56 balls. Her bat gave nine 4s and three 6s in the crucial match of India vs Ireland. Mandhana played with a wonderful strike rate of 155.36. Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues also contributed to the team by giving 24 runs from 29 balls and 19 runs from 12 balls respectively. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur gave 13 runs from 20 balls. From the starting of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, Harmanpreet’s form is not visible. Combination of all the batters helped India to score 155 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs. 

Chasing the target of 156, Hunter and Lewis took charge for Ireland. Ireland women had lost their two wickets in initial overs but they managed themselves to make 54 for 2 wickets in 8.2 overs till the rain stopped the match. Before rain Gaby Lewis and Laura Delany made a needful 53 runs partnership. Gaby Lewis was scoring 32 runs from 25 deliveries and Laura Delany was at 17 from 20 balls. 

Match was abandoned due to rain and India declared as winner as per DLS method. This victory is not only a victory, it is a ticket to semifinals.