India’s 22‑year‑old pace bowler Kranti Gaud was the hero of a thrilling Women’s World Cup match in Colombo, where her stubborn insistence on keeping a second slip paid off in a key wicket against Pakistan.
During the game, India was defending a target of 247. Pakistan had made only 26 for 2 after eleven overs, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, looking to sharpen the attack, asked Gaud to drop the second slip. But Gaud refused, saying she felt the slip could produce a breakthrough.
On the first ball of the twelfth over, Pakistan’s Aliya Riaz attempted a reckless hook shot that flew straight to Deepti Sharma at the second slip. Sharma’s catch was swift, and Aliya was out for just 2 runs off 8 balls – a moment that sent a message to the batting side and shifted the pressure back onto Pakistan.
Gaud returned to the crease for a second spell, again insisting on the second slip. Her insistence helped her take the wicket of Aliya Riaz and that was followed by the dismissal of Sadaf Shamas within the first ten overs. Between the two spells, she claimed three wickets for just 20 runs – a tidy 3/20 that earned her the Player of the Match award.
India went on to win by 88 runs, with Gaud’s spell cited as a turning point. “It was a very good game for all of us,” Harmanpreet Kaur said after the match. “Kranti bowled very well, she was outstanding, and Renuka helped her get the breakthroughs. We created so many chances – unfortunately, we dropped them – but when you win, you are happy.”
Gaud added that her village back home had put on a large LED screen for the World Cup game, and she felt proud to be the person people would celebrate as Player of the Match.
The match added another chapter to the India‑Pakistan rivalry in women’s cricket, showing how a single tactical decision can change the course of a World Cup game.
Source: aninews
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