Kolkata: It’s a golden day for Indian cricket. Virat Kohli’s team secures an eight-wicket win against England at Mohali today. And on the same day, the Indian women’s team beats Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup T-20 at the Asian Institute of Technology Ground, Bangkok.
While Kohli’s team earned the distinction of being the first Indian team to beat England in two consecutive Tests, after Mohd. Azaharuddin’s side achieved the feat in 1993, Harmanpreet Kaur’s brigade gave its countrymen something to cheer for by beating arch-rivals Pakistan on a day when seven of our soldiers have been killed by terrorists at Nagrota in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). Needless to say the terrorists were backed by elements given shelter in Pakistan.
It was also sweet revenge for the women’s team, which lost to Pakistan in the ICC T-20 World Cup at the Feroz Shah Kotla earlier this year through the Duckworth-Lewis method. And the Indian team didn’t lose focus today. Kaur won the toss and decided to field first. A charged-up India dismissed Pakistan for just 97 in 20 overs. Ekta Bhist bagged three for 20 while Anuja Patil and Kaur took two wickets each. Nain Abadi was the top scorer for Pakistan with an unbeaten 37.
It was supposed to be a cakewalk for India, but it fumbled in between before romping home in 19.2 overs. Mithali Raj (37) and Kaur (22 not out) hogged the limelight for India. The victory against Pakistan puts India on top of the table. India now faces Sri Lanka on December 1.
Kohli’s Team India (2-0 up in the series) now goes to Mumbai for the fourth Test that begins on December 8. For sure it will go all out to seal the series at the Wankhede Stadium. On the fourth day at Mohali, set a target of 103 in the fourth innings, India ended up with 104 for 2 with comeback man Parthiv Patel scoring an unbeaten 67.
It’s Indian cricket all the way and what way to pay tributes to our soldiers who are fighting cross-border terrorism sponsored by a hostile Pakistan.
(With inputs from ANI)