IND W VS IRE W MATCH 18

Right then. That's it from the coverage of this game. The Women's T20 World Cup action will continue on 21st February with a double-header coming your way. In the first match, it will be England Women taking on Pakistan Women at 6.30 pm IST (1 pm GMT). Followed by a game between the hosts, South Africa Women who will be locking horns against Bangladesh Women. This match will start at 10.30 pm IST (5 pm GMT). But as you all know you can join us early for the build-up. See you then. Cheers!

Harmanpreet Kaur, the victorious skipper says that it was a good game for them. Adds that Smriti getting some runs is good for them and getting runs at the top order was important for them. Tells that she hasn't had much time on the middle and that's why she went to bat at number 3. Mentions that it means a lot making it to another semi-final and the hard work has paid off. Tells that playing against Australia is always enjoyable and they will give their best to get the better of them.

Laura Delany, the captain of Ireland Women is in for a chat. She starts by saying that the rain came out of nowhere and they were not prepared for it. Mentions that she and Gaby Lewis focused on building a solid stand. Thinks that they are going from strength to strength and is certain that they are going in the right direction.

Smriti Mandhana wins the Player of the Match award for her exceptional outing with the bat. On being enquired about the injury, she says that the finger is fine now. Adds that it was one of the toughest innings that she played and says that the wicket was on the slower side. Tells that she wanted to stick around and once set then go big. Mentions that she and Verma was not timing the ball as they are not used to this pace of bowling and the wind was making it difficult too. Ends by saying that she is not sure if this was the perfect preparation before the semis but scoring runs was a good feeling and they learned a lot from the their previous game against England Women.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Well, well! The inevitable has happened and the rain gods have the last laugh here. THE MATCH HAS BEEN ABANDONED and it is India Women who win the game by 5 runs (DLS method). A dagger through the heart for Ireland Women, as they had just got back on track in this chase when the rain started to pour down. Ireland Women were off to a horrendous start as they lost 2 wickets in the very first over with just 1 run on the scoreboard. Gaby Lewis and Laura Delany consolidated really well and managed to accelerate their innings as well but the rain came in at the wrong time you would say. If Ireland Women would've held on to their catches and got the better of Smriti Mandhana a little earlier, then the things could've been very different. So, in the end, India Women make their way into the semi-finals, their third one in a row.

UPDATE - The word from the middle is that the rain is still falling down and the cut-off time is 10.03 pm IST (4.33 pm GMT). We hope that we can still see some action here. Stay with us.

UPDATE 9.20 pm IST (3.50 pm GMT) - It looks like the rain in hanging around for quite some time, although the sun is trying very hard to sneak through. Although, it won't be surprising to see if we start losing over soon. Lets hope we get going again. Stick around for further updates.

UPDATE 8.40 pm IST (3.20 pm GMT) - The rain is getting heavier now. The two umpires converge and ask the ground staff to get the covers out on the field. The staff is quick to respond although the real battle is to put the covers on in such windy conditions. So according to the DLS method India Women are in front here. Hopefully the wind succeeds it pushing away the dark clouds as soon as possible.

Pooja Vastrakar loses her line and serves this full way outside off, Gaby Lewis leaves it alone. Wided.

Back of a length and outside off, Gaby Lewis mistimes her cut towards point.

Short of a length and on off, Gaby Lewis slaps it towards mid on.

Slightly shorter and around off, Gaby Lewis punches it off the back foot towards sweeper covers for one more.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Laura Delany slog-sweeps it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Slower through the air, on off, turning away, Laura Delany dabs it towards backward point.

Short again and on middle, Gaby Lewis moves back and clips it through mid-wicket for another run. With that, the 50-run partnership comes up between these two batters.

Short and outside off, Laura Delany cuts it towards deep point for a run. 50 up for Ireland Women!

Aerial and safe again! Rajeshwari Gayakwad starts with a floated delivery, full and on off, Gaby Lewis looks for the sweep, but gets a top edge just over the keeper for a single.