Indian women entered the Commonwealth Games semi-finals with a resounding win over weaker opponents. Barbados was defeated by a hundred runs.
Batting first, India scored 162 runs for four wickets in 20 overs. Barbados’ struggle ended at 62 for eight in 20 overs. Medium pacer Renuka Singh, who conceded only 10 runs in four overs and took four wickets, made the victory easy.
Jemima Rodrigues became India’s top scorer with an unbeaten 56 off 46 balls. Opener Shafali Verma (43 off 26 balls) and Deepti Sharma (34 not out off 28 balls) strengthened the team. Only two players crossed the double figure in the Barbados line-up.
India are second behind Australia in Group A with two wins. It will be clear who will be India’s opponents in Saturday’s semi-finals after the completion of Group B matches. This is the first time that women’s cricket has been played at the Commonwealth Games.