WATCH: Pooja Vastrakar magic in Hamilton; runs Suzie Bates out with spectacular direct hit
Pooja Vastrakar has taken to the Women’s World Cup 2022 like fish to water. After a brilliant innings with the bat in the opening game of the tournament against Pakistan, Pooja Vastrakar made immediate impact in Thursday’s game between New Zealand and India at the Seddon Park, Hamilton.
With New Zealand confident going into this fixture of the Women’s World Cup 2022 having beaten India 4-1 in the five-match ODI series recently, India needed an early breakthrough to put pressure on the White Ferns.
That came from Pooja Vastrakar although she wasn’t herself bowling. Dabbing Jhulan Goswami to the cover region, Sophie Devine took off for a quick single with Suzie Bates responding to it.
Pooja Vastrakar picked up and released the ball pretty quick, hitting the bull’s eye at the striker’s end to catch Bates short and give India their first wicket.
WATCH POOJA VASTRAKAR RUNNING SUZIE BATES OUT IN THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2022 GAME
— Xcat (@Xcat51201962) March 10, 2022
Having found the breakthrough early in the innings, India turned to Vastrakar again after the powerplay ended. The all-rounder struck in her very first over, the extra bounce forcing an edge of a fluent-looking Sophie Devine and the catch snaffled behind the stumps by Richa Ghosh.
With the dismissal, Pooja Vastrakar has now made an impact on the field in all three departments for India in the Women’s World Cup 2022.
New Zealand went on to resurrect the innings with Amelia Kerr and Amy Satterthwaite putting on a strong partnership for the third wicket, helped by a dropped catch of Kerr early in her innings off Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s bowling.
This is turning into Pooja Vastrakar's WC so far.
She is here. Oh, she is there. She is everywhere too.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) March 10, 2022
Pooja Vastrakar been hanging out with Frankie Mackay? #CWC22
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) March 10, 2022
Match defining innings with the bat.
Brilliant direct hit to run out one of the best batters in the tournament.
Wicket of one of the most fearsome batters in her first over.This is Pooja Vastrakar's world. We are just living in it!
— Naman Agarwal (@CoverDrivenFor4) March 10, 2022
┏┓
┃┃╱╲ in
┃╱╱╲╲ this
╱╱╭╮╲╲ house
▔▏┗┛▕▔ we stan
╱▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔╲
Pooja Vastrakar
╱╱┏┳┓╭╮┏┳┓ ╲╲
▔▏┗┻┛┃┃┗┻┛▕▔Are you coming in?
— maelstrom (@originalmiks) March 10, 2022
Pooja Vastrakar with bat, ball and field – she is doing everything for India in #CWC22.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 10, 2022
While fans went gaga today, her stunning show against Pakistan had caught the eye of several former cricketers including Virender Sehwag, who commented on her “grand style”.
WATCH: Pakistan Captain Bismah Maroof Dedicates Fifty To Daughter; Does The Baby-Rock Gesture Vs Australia
What a spectacular performance by the Indian girls against Pakistan.
That was a thrashing, and in grand style.
Pooja Vastrakar with a valiant innings, the ever so reliable Sneh Rana's great all-round show & Rajeshwari Gayakwad outstanding with the ball.
ChakDe India #IndvPak pic.twitter.com/CyAy04phTt— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 6, 2022
Her stunning show on Thursday has once again caught the eye of fans and critics alike even if India’s challenge in the game remains steep.