T20 WC: Richa Ghosh's fighting knock not enough as England pip India by 5 runs

NEW DELHI: Richa Ghosh produced a sensational counterattacking sound but her valiant effort yet went successful vain arsenic England held their nervus to registry a thrilling five-run triumph implicit India successful a Women's T20 World Cup warm-up lucifer connected Wednesday.After defeating West Indies by 26 runs successful their archetypal warm-up game, India came agonisingly adjacent to making it 2 wins successful 2 matches earlier falling abbreviated successful a tense finish.

Chasing 172, India struggled to get going connected a utilized aboveground that offered gait and bounce to the bowlers. The apical bid recovered it hard to accelerate, with Yastika Bhatia and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur getting starts but failing to person them into important scores.With wickets falling regularly, the pursuit appeared to beryllium slipping distant earlier Richa launched a stunning rescue act.The wicketkeeper-batter kept India live astir single-handedly, taking connected the England onslaught contempt receiving small enactment from the different end. Needing 17 runs disconnected the last over, India inactive had anticipation arsenic agelong arsenic Richa remained astatine the crease.The right-hander instantly raised Indian hopes by smashing a bound and a six disconnected Linsey Smith.

The equation abruptly came down to six runs needed from the last 3 deliveries, with England opening to consciousness the heat.However, the turning constituent arrived connected the 4th shot of the over. Attempting different large hit, Richa charged down the way but was beaten by the formation of the transportation and stumped by Alice Capsey for a magnificent 68 disconnected conscionable 36 balls, an innings featuring 9 fours and 2 sixes.Her dismissal efficaciously ended India's hopes.

Two balls later, Renuka Singh Thakur was caught by Charlie Dean arsenic England completed a constrictive five-run victory, bowling India retired for 166 successful 19.5 overs.Earlier, England had posted 171 for six, giving their batters invaluable clip successful the mediate up of the tournament. For India, contempt the defeat, Richa's instrumentality to signifier volition beryllium a large boost heading into the Women's T20 World Cup. The 21-year-old had endured a quiescent circuit of England but delivered a timely reminder of her match-winning abilities.The warm-up run is present implicit for some teams. England volition statesman their T20 World Cup run against Sri Lanka connected June 12, portion India unfastened their tourney against arch-rivals Pakistan connected June 14.