Among the medal contenders, the Indian women’s cricket team will be hoping for a piece of history when they begin their campaign at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this month. Women’s T20 cricket is debuting in the quadrennial event with India, Australia, hosts England and New Zealand being the favorites to win medals.
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India are placed in Group A along with world champions Australia, Pakistan and Barbados. A total of 16 T20s will be played during the event from 29 July to 7 August, with Edgbaston hosting them all.
India will take on Australia in their opening match of the campaign on July 29 and Veda Krishnamurthy is backing them to at least make the summit clash.
“We are doing really well in the T20 format,” Veda said during an interaction with the media organized by Sony Sports Network on Monday.
“Harmanpreet and Smriti (Mandhana) are doing really well in handling the team. Harmanpreet showed her captaincy (skills) during the Women’s IPL. She (as a batsman) can single-handedly destroy any team on any given day. I am on his side to at least make the finals.”
The matches on July 31 will see a blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan and Veda says that the marquee competition brings up a lot of emotions.
Commonwealth Games 2022: Harmanpreet and Company aim for pride in the historic event
“I have full faith in them that they (India) will do well. The passion is 100 times when India and Pakistan are playing. You don’t care who is going to perform, only the victory matters. I heard the match is sold out. There will be a lot of emotions,” said Veda.
When asked about the conditions, Veda feels pacer Pooja Vastrakar will be crucial for India considering her recent all-round performance.
“Pooja Vastrakar has become an impressive player,” said Ved. “She creates something (special) in critical moments. She did well in Sri Lanka with both bat and ball and became the leader of the fast bowling attack in this team. Meghna Singh will also be important if she makes it to the eleven. He has also supported Renuka (Singh). This way they will come together and perform in high intensity matches. His (impressive) spin attack should not be forgotten. Vastrakar will be an important factor,” she said.
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