Pooja Vastrakar the Indian all-rounder, will play for the women’s cricket squad at the Commonwealth Games after recovering from COVID-19. Vastrakar and S Meghana were forced to remain in India after getting COVID-19 before they were supposed to leave. Vastrakar will be available for the last league match against Barbados on August 3, while Meghana played against Pakistan on Sunday. Her participation gives the team’s composition some balance.
An IOA member had said that she will join the squad tonight. Earlier S Meghana had joined the squad and was even part of the playing 11 in the match against Pakistan.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team crushed Pakistan by eight wickets after suffering a disappointing defeat to Australia in the tournament’s opening match.
Sneh Rana, a spin all-rounder who made her comeback for India against Pakistan, was one of the game’s standout performances. She grabbed two wickets in the same over.
“It’s a special feeling – everything we planned in the net sessions worked out. It’s always special when you play against Pakistan, but it’s also just another game,” she said.
Regarding the attendance at Edgbaston, which is reportedly a record for an English-neutral women’s cricket event, she continued: “Playing in frnt of a large audience is enjoyable when part of the spectators are clapping for you. It made me feel pretty fantastic to hear some of the spectators chanting my name from the sidelines.”
The women’s team will next play Barbados on August 3, which lost to Australia in their first match. Australia after defeating India and Barbados has already qualified for Semifinals.
In the other group, there is tough competition between England, Newzealand, and South Africa. England and Newzealand have the lead with the top 2 positions. If South Africa defeats England in their next match, they will post a good contention for the Semifinals spot.
