Pooja Vastrakar's return could be a game-changer for India Women

Pooja Vastrakar in action

Indian Women picked up a morale-boosting win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their last outing and they will be eyeing a similar result against Barbados now. 

The Women in Blue restricted Pakistan to just 99 runs and then chased down the total within 11.4 overs with eight wickets to spare.

Smriti Mandhana smashed an unbeaten 63* with the bat and Sneh Rana registered India's best bowling figures on the day with 2-15.

Injury boost for India Women in crunch clash

India Women will need to win their game against Barbados in order to progress in the tournament and they have been handed a major boost on the injury front. 

Pooja Vastrakar missed the games against Australia and Pakistan after testing positive for COVID-19. She is set to join up with the squad now and is in line to make her first appearance in the CWG 2022 against Barbados.

Earlier, S Meghana had missed the game against Australia but she recovered quickly to play against Pakistan on Sunday.

The Indian Women had an underwhelming spell with the ball against the Aussies, apart from Renuka Singh, who tore through the opposition's top order. Singh was in desperate need of some support from the other end. 

Another reliable bowler could have easily turned the game in India's favour. Pooja Vastrakar could be the one to support Singh against Barbados and that will give the Women in Blue more cutting edge with the ball. 

The 22-year-old has 21 wickets in 27 T20I matches and she will be looking to make an instant impact in the CWG 2022.

Pakistan win a much-needed confidence boost

Sunday's win over their arch-rivals could not have been better timed. India will need all the confidence and momentum they can get, ahead of the clash against Barbados. 

It remains to be seen whether they can replicate their performance in the next game and book their place in the next round. 

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