India thrashes Ireland to reach Women's World T20 semifinals

Mithali Raj's 51 helped India to 145-6 that was always likely to be too strong for Ireland, and the tournament's lowest-ranked team struggled to 93-8 in reply.

Mithali Raj laid the foundations for victory with a 67-run stand for the opening wicket with Smriti Mandhana.

India booked its place in the semifinals of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 for the first time since 2010 on Thursday as Mithali Raj scored her second straight half-century in a 52-run thrashing of Ireland.

Last year's World Cup runner-up went into the game knowing victory would secure a last-four spot after previous wins over New Zealand and Pakistan.

Raj struck an assured 51 as India posted a total of 145-6 that was always likely to be too strong for Ireland, and the tournament's lowest-ranked team struggled to 93-8 in reply as Radha Yadav finished with three for 25.

Who else, but @M_Raj03?

India's all-time leading T20I run-scorer adds another half-century to her CV as her nation qualifies for the #WT20 semi-finals. pic.twitter.com/AozpPfpJSn

— ICC World Twenty20 (@WorldT20) November 15, 2018

The 35-year-old Raj, India's all-time record runscorer in T20s, laid the foundations for victory with a 67-run stand for the opening wicket with Smriti Mandhana, and after the game she played down injury fears after struggling with a knee problem.

“I'm sure my knee will get better,” she said. “Today the wicket was quite challenging. The pitch was soft. And playing slower bowlers was difficult, but the partnership with Smriti was crucial.”

India faces Australia on Saturday to decide who finishes top of Group B, before playing the semifinals on November 22.