Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar applauded Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India for defeating Pakistan in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. India registered a seven-wicket win over Pakistan after Jemimah Rodrigues played an unbeaten knock of 53 and Richa Ghosh hit a quickfire 31* off just 20 balls as well.
Meanwhile, Tendulkar stated that he watched the nail-biting match with his wife Anjali and cricketer son Arjun. He also applauded the performances of Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh as well.
“Watched the game with Anjali & Arjun and we thoroughly enjoyed cheering for our Indian Women’s team,” wrote Tendulkar. “A good start by Shafali, Jemimah paced her innings beautifully along with a good burst from Richa towards the end. Wonderful to see India win AGAIN!”
Watched the game with Anjali & Arjun and we thoroughly enjoyed cheering for our Indian Women’s team.
A good start by Shafali, Jemimah paced her innings beautifully along with a good burst from Richa towards the end.
Wonderful to see India win AGAIN! 🇮🇳🏏💙#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/ruF3LKrXAw
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 12, 2023
Notably, Bismah Maroof and Ayesha Naseem added an unbeaten 81-run partnership for the fifth wicket to help Pakistan post 149/4 after electing to bat. Pakistan captain Maroof then stepped up to finish with an unbeaten 68, while Naseem played a late cameo of 43 not out off 25 balls as well.
In reply, Yastika Bhatia joined Shafali Verma in the absence of Smriti Mandhana, who was ruled out due to a finger injury as well. Bhatia could not do well as she fell for 17. However, Verma’s 33 off 25 made sure India stay in the game. Rodrigues and Ghosh then utilised Pakistan’s poor fielding with their shots. Rodrigues hit the winning four in the penultimate over to help India win two early points. India will next take on West Indies on February 15 in Cape Town as well.
After the win, the likes of Mithali Raj, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag also celebrated the win after Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh helped India to secure two early points on Sunday (February 12).
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“Excellent start for Team India! It was a tense chase but both @JemiRodrigues and @13richaghosh rose to the occasion and completed a marvelous victory. Well done and best wishes for the upcoming encounters,” said Mithali Raj.
Former BCCI President and India captain Sourav Ganguly said: “High class run chase from india .. clinical performance from jemima(h) and richa ghosh @BCCIWomen..great start to the tournament.”
“Chak De Fatte! Super excited as always to see India beat Pakistan in a World Cup. And the Girls doing it in style is icing on the cake. Richa Ghosh turned it around in style and Jemimah was brilliant. Great win girls,” tweeted Virender Sehwag.
“WHAT A WIN ! The second highest successful run chase in Women’s #T20WorldCup history. Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh were extra special in a thrilling run chase. Great start to the tournament, best wishes,” said VVS Laxman.
Chak De Fatte !
Super excited as always to see India beat Pakistan in a World Cup.
And the Girls doing it in style is icing on the cake.
Richa Ghosh turned it around in style and Jemimah was brilliant. Great win girls @BCCIWomen #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/hLhzJRxKZH— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 12, 2023
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah wrote: “What a match! The energy and fighting spirit showcased by all the players was brilliant. Congratulations #TeamIndia for an outstanding win. This has surely set the tone for a great tournament. More power to you, girls!”
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“High quality run chase this from @BCCIWomen. Jemima(h) and Richa were fantastic, but what stuck out was how calm the dressing room was when we needed 40 from 4 overs. #T20WorldCup2023,” said Ravichandran Ashwin.
Virat Kohli also applauded India women’s team after its nail-biting win over Pakistan Women.
(2/2) The women’s team is taking such giant leaps ahead with every tournament we play and it’s going to inspire a whole generation of girls to take up the sport and take women’s cricket higher and higher. More power to all of you. God bless.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) February 12, 2023
“What a win from our women’s team against Pakistan in a high pressure game and a tough run chase,” said Virat Kohli. “The women’s team is taking such giant leaps ahead with every tournament we play and it’s going to inspire a whole generation of girls to take up the sport and take women’s cricket higher and higher. More power to all of you. God bless.”
