Ahead of their World Cup clash against England, the Indian women’s cricket team, including Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, visited Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar temple to offer prayers. The players attended the Bhasm Aarti and were honoured with shawls by the temple committee
Indian women's cricket team offering prayers at Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain. Pic/ Screengrab from X
Ahead of their much-anticipated World Cup clash against England, the Indian women’s cricket team on Wednesday visited the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain. Indian cricketers, including Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and others, offered prayers at the sacred temple before their clash against England at Indore's Holkar Stadium on Sunday.
Apart from Harmanpreet and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Harleen Deol, and Renuka Thakur were among the players who offered prayers at the Mahakaleshwar temple. As reported by news agency ANI, all the players were dressed in traditional attire and attended the Bhasm Aarti. After offering prayers at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar temple, they were honoured by the temple management committee with shawls.
While the Indian women's team is looking to script history and lift its first World Cup trophy on home soil at the ongoing showpiece event. England is also on a hot run to make sure that the Indians don’t get an easy win. The hosts got off to a flying start after trouncing Sri Lanka and arch-rival Pakistan in one-sided affairs.
However, Team India's campaign went off the track after enduring back-to-back defeats against South Africa and defending champions Australia.
India's encounter with South Africa did go down to the wire, but Nadine de Klerk's unbeaten 84 outclassed skipper Harmanpreet and her side, reported PTI.
Even against Australia, India put up a resilient show with the bat and blazed their way to a daunting 330. However, captain Alyssa Healy's scorching 142 outgunned the hosts and propelled the defending champions to a narrow three-wicket win, disheartening the hearts of millions of Indians.
After two successive heartbreaks, Team India has a week to regain its lost mojo and return to winning ways. However, a formidable England under the leadership of Nat Sciver awaits them on Sunday. While England is yet to lose a match in the competition, Team India’s form going ahead in the tournament needs to be brought back on track as soon as possible.
The day before encountering the hosts, England will square off against Pakistan on Wednesday. The Harmanpreet-led side will be hopeful about conquering the challenge, considering they recently staged a 2-1 ODI series win in England, reported ANI.
As of now, India occupies the fourth spot with four points, while England comfortably sits in second place with a tally of six.
(With inputs from ANI)
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