PANAJI
Goa will clash with Kerala in the second quarter-finals of the plate group in the BCCI women's tournament, in Kolkata on Friday. Shikha Pandey-led Goa had finished second in the Group C while Kerala were in a similar position in Group B.
Former India player-turned-coach Devieka Palshikaar is keeping it simple as far as her advice to the girls is concerned, ahead of the do-or-die clash. "I have not given them any special advice as such ahead of the knock-out round. I just told the girls to keep it simple by focussing on the basics and playing to their strengths," the Goa coach told The Goan.
Goa will be hoping India all-rounder Shikha Pandey delivers another stunning performance in bowling against Kerala. Shikha, who has taken 13 wickets in four league matches, is placed second in the highest wicket-takers list for the tournament. Shikha's fiery spell of 6/10 broke the back of in-form Tripura in the must-win final league game for Goa, paving their way into the last-eight stage while knocking the North-Easterners out. The 28-year-old is also due with the bat and if she fires, Goa will be in a great position.
Goa, meanwhile, have been depending on openers Vinavi Gurav and Nikita Malik, who is also a new-ball bowler, for a good start, and the duo has largely been successful. A solid start in the knock-out match, can put the team in a positive frame, while middle-order batters Shikha, Sunanda Yetrekar and Sanjula Naik need to bring in all their experience into play, to capitalise on the start.
Vinavi is Goa's top scorer with an aggregate of 78 runs in four matches. Kerala meanwhile, have depended on their captain Asha S for runs and wickets. She has scored 141 runs in four matches and taken eight wickets, to be placed 16th in both, the highest run-getters and
wicket-takers list.
The winners will go on to play Group A toppers Karnataka, who had earned a bye to enter the last-four stage, in the semi-finals on Sunday. Meanwhile, one semi-final line-up in the plate group, has already been decided with Group C toppers Bengal set for a battle with Group B toppers Vidarbha.
After Bengal earned a bye, Vidarbha crushed Group A second-placed Haryana with a 10-wicket victory. Over in the Elite Super League category, Railways and Andhra have scored one victory each while Delhi and Mumbai have lost their opening matches.
