ICC Women's World T20 Semifinal: In-form India looks to crush English spirits at Antigua

India women's outing this year at the ICC World T20 has been one to remember as of now, for the Indian women's team has won all of its group league matches to storm into the semifinals.

As India takes on England again in the last-four, an idea of revenge might be on the cards.

When India's women cricketers travelled to the Caribbean for the World T20, there were still some doubts over their prospect in the tournament. After all, the team's record in the tournament wasn't much to look at, considering it could not reach the last-four since 2010.

However, this year the side's outing has been one to remember as of now, for the Indian women's team has won all of its group league matches to storm into the semifinals. After defeating New Zealand in the opener, India has played as a well-knit unit in the remaining league matches to ensure that there was no slip-up.

The last time the two teams met in a ICC tournament was in the final of the 50-over World Cup in 2017, where England had gone on to clinch the title. And as India takes on England at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday, an idea of revenge might be on the cards.

Harmanpreet and Mandhana: The big match players

A seasoned campaigner, Harmanpreet is currently the leading scorer in the tournament, piling up 167 runs with a strike rate of 177.

The 29-year-old has proved her class in the big matches slamming a ton against New Zealand and then following it up with a match-winning knock of 43 against Australia.

She will be the one to watch out for in the semifinals, along with opener, Smriti Mandhana, who has amassed 144 runs in the tournament so far. And the focus will be on the two batters when the action begins.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is currently the leading scorer in the tournament, piling up 167 runs with a strike rate of 177.

 

Poonam and Radha: Spin is in

Leading up to the semifinals, India's strength has been the spin department.

Under the watchful eyes of coach and a former India spinner, Ramesh Powar, leg-spinner Poonam Yadav and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav have proved their mettle.

While Poonam scalped eight wickets, Radha has grabbed seven. And the team will bank on this combination to defeat England.

Mithali: Raj in Windies

The most remarkable happening of the tournament has been the fine form of Mithali Raj.

She has shrugged off question marks over her place in the batting lineup and form with back-to-back fifties.

In the process, she has become the highest scorer for India in T20Is going ahead of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli respectively. 

Mithali has shrugged off suggestion of a drop in her form with back-to-back fifties.

 

Change in venue for India

One of India's major challenges will be adapting to the change in venue for the semifinal, which will be played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound in Antigua, having played its Group B fixtures at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.