India’s women cricketer Poonam Yadav was the reason behind India’s victory in the curtain-raiser match against Australia in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020. Her googlies were misread by Australia’s batswomen as they were left without an answer.
The promising bowler Poonam has played 46 ODIs and went on to pick 72 wickets. While In T20Is, she has a staggering record, picking 89 wickets in 63 matches. She has come out as the premier bowler of India’s women cricket in the past two years.
Before arriving in Australia for the mega event, Poonam was suffering from an injury in her non-bowling hand. She went under the surgery and had inserted a plate in her hand. But her passion to play for her country led to her recovery well in time, revealed her coach Manoj Kushwaha.
“Poonam was mighty upset when she got injured and had to miss the T20 Challengers Trophy and then the Tri-series. However, she was determined to keep her calm and prepare for the World Cup while being in Australia with the team during the Tri-series. She would train hard and use her non-bowling arm a lot while on rehab. Thankfully, she started bowling in the nets ahead of the World Cup. Everyone was happy to see Poonam bowl against West Indies in the warm-up game,” her personal coach Manoj Kushwaha said on phone from Agra.
Poonam Yadav’s main weapon:
In Sydney, Australian batters could not read Poonam’s Wrong’uns and thus kept losing their wickets early. Her coach said that googlies are the weapon of Poonam.
“She was really thrilled to bowl like that against the West Indies and get back to cricket. She loves the T20 format. She plans the quota of four overs during a T20 match meticulously. She uses her variations in various situations with effect. Her googlies are her main weapon. People will see more such great performances from Poonam in the upcoming matches. After her first over, she bowled slower and deceived the batters in the air. Because of her, a lot of girls are taking up cricket, especially spin, at my academy,” said Khushwa.
India had given a below-par target in front of a tough competitor like Australia. Poonam came as a saviour for the team. She picked the wicket of Alyssa Healy, who scored a half-century. She ran through Australia’s middle order while picking two consecutive wickets of Rachael Haynes and Ellyse Perry.
All in all, she picked four wickets and halted Australia to reach the target. Thus, India went on to win the match by 17 runs as Australian innings was bundled out for 115..