ICC Women's WT20: Say Hello To The New Indian Faces

The Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, kicks off its World T20 campaign against New Zealand on November 9 at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, South America. Team India is focused on winning their maiden Women's World T20 title. In 2009 and 2010, they were knocked out in the semi-finals.

Ahead of the tournament, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Veda Krishnamurthy along with rising star Jemimah Rodriguez had taken social media by storm, showing off their dance moves in their national team jersey. The official Twitter handle of ICC World T20 posted the pictures of the same:

The @BCCIWomen showed off their best moves for us! ?? #WT20 pic.twitter.com/RMYGm0sUbl

— ICC World Twenty20 (@WorldT20) November 3, 2018

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While the runners-up team of ODI World Cup is vying to achieve the best, a few new faces in the squad are making waves with their performance. Here are some new names you must know:

Jemimah Rodrigues

The latest sensation in women’s cricket is Mumbai’s Jemimah Rodrigues. She made headlines late last year by scoring 202 in an Under-19 One-day tournament.

Jemimah Rodrigues (Image Credit: Twitter)

The teenager remained unbeaten by scoring a blazing knock of 202 runs off 163 balls in an Under-19 One-day tournament in November last year

The 18-year-old Jemimah is now included in the Indian women’s cricket team and has already played 14 T20 internationals. She debuted in February. An average of 37.33 and strike-rate of 137.14, Rodrigues received the honour at this young age because of her excellent run in the domestic season and flair for batting. Moreover, she finished as the third highest run-getter in the Challenger Trophy. The Mumbai all-rounder will have to work hard to clinch the title for the team.

Taniya Bhatia

Bhatia, alongside Rodrigues, debuted in February 2018, during India’s tour of South Africa. Known for her special wicket-keeping style, the 20-year-old is paving her way into the team with 20 successful T20 internationals outings.

With 15 stumpings, the Chandigarh-born draws inspiration from her cricketer-turned-banker father, Sanjay Bhatia. Hope she keeps the bowling spin to the highest for the tournament as well.

Radha Yadav

Another asset for the team is left-arm spinner Radha Yadav. She has played nine T20 internationals and picked up nine wickets.

Radha Yadav

The 18-year-old Yadav is originally from Mumbai, but started her cricketing career from Vadodara, Gujarat. She scripted history by becoming the first player from Gujarat to make her debut in the Indian women’s team in the T20 international tournament.

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Yadav has given a string of good performances over the last couple of seasons. She was picked up for the Indian team that was touring South Africa earlier this year. After playing for Mumbai, Radha shifted to Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) in 2014-15. She has played for Baroda in U-19 West Zone tournament, senior women’s one-day tournament, senior women’s T20 tournament and U-23 West Zone one-day tournament.

Arundhati Reddy

Arundhati Reddy is a young pacer to look forward to in this tournament. Since Jhulan Goswami is not playing the shortest format, 19-year-old Reddy is given the task to lead India’s fast-bowling line along with the seasoned Mansi Joshi. Reddy is expected to partner Vastrakar with the new ball if India decides to start with pace attack.

Arundhati Reddy, Indian women's cricket team. (Picture credit: Women's CricZone)

The Andhra girl is the newest addition to the Indian team. Reddy has only earned her maiden international cap during the T20Is in Sri Lanka – but the abilities speak on its own.

Pooja Vastrakar

Another responsible player who would be leading the pace bowling department is the youngster from Bilaspur in Madhya Pradesh.  With 11 T20 internationals behind her, this 19-year old is in her first year in international cricket and already holds a batting world record in ODIs.

Pooja Vastrakar, Indian women's cricket team. (Picture Credit: Naidunia)

Pooja was playing only her second ODI in March, batting against Australia with India in a position of strife at 113/7. She then went on to become the first No. 9 batswoman in women’s ODI history to hit a half century. Vastrakar’s wicket-taking abilities are much praised.

Wishing all the best to these cricketing stars.

Feature Image Credit: Cricket country

Read More Stories By Ria Das