News Sports Cricket Its double the joy for West Indies at Wankhede, both men and women qualify for World T20 finals

Its double the joy for West Indies at Wankhede, both men and women qualify for World T20 finals

Tournament favourites are out of the fray for the World Cup trophy and Indian fans are understandably upset over the team’s exit from the ICC World T20.

West Indies West Indies

New Delhi: Tournament favourites are out of the fray for the World Cup trophy and Indian fans are understandably upset over the team’s exit from the ICC World T20. However, it has turned out to be a good day for West Indies cricket.

The Carribean men chased down a total of 192 quite easily as Indian bowlers literally struggled to contain the fire power. Besides getting Gayle out early, there wasn’t really much to the Indian defence to talk about as it rained fours and sixes. Even the breakthroughs turned out to be no-balls. It was clearly not India’s day by any standards.

On the contrary, the mood is upbeat in the Carribean camp. Besides the men’s team setting up a title clash with England on Sunday, the Carribean women’s team also marched into the finals beating New Zealand by six runs in a thrilling finish. 

The common factor between both teams is the venue; both teams of the West Indies won their semi-final clash at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

West Indies Women won a high-scoring clash by six runs - their first semi-final victory - to set up a final date with Australia Women in Kolkata on Sunday. Like the men, New Zealand Women bowed out of the tournament after going through the group stages unscathed.    

The Men In Blue, riding high on their victory against Bangladesh, Pakistan and the mighty Australia, today suffered just the jolt they probably did not expect. Defending a modest total of 193 runs, Indian bowlers failed to keep it together against a firing West Indies, who overwhelmed the hosts with 11 sixes and 21 boundaries in their innings. 

Just like their male counterparts, West Indies Women held their nerve as they posted an imposing total of 143 for 6. This match, like the men’s semi-final went right through to the last over where West Indies needed to defend 19 runs and they did just that. West Indies Women now face Australia Women in the final clash in Kolkata on Sunday. 

West Indies cricket, which has been reeling in trouble for quite sometime now, may just see the right push if both teams manage to return home with the coveted trophy. Even if they do not, they go back with their heads high.