In a spectacular display of skill and determination, the Indian women’s cricket team has advanced to the final of the Asia Cup, overpowering Bangladesh with a decisive 10-wicket victory in the semi-finals.
The game began with Bangladesh winning the toss and choosing to bat first, a decision that quickly turned against them. They lost three crucial wickets early on, setting a difficult tone for their innings. Renuka Singh Thakur shone brightly with her exceptional bowling performance, delivering four consecutive overs and securing 3 wickets for just 10 runs. Her efforts set the stage for India’s commanding presence in the match.
Reflecting on her stellar performance, Renuka shared, “I am really happy to perform on such a stage. I was just sticking to my plans and it worked. I enjoy bowling at the top as the wicket helps a bit as well.”
Bangladesh struggled to build momentum, with Captain Nigar Sultana doing her best to anchor the innings, scoring 32 runs off 51 balls. Despite her efforts, only Shorna Akter managed to reach double figures, contributing an unbeaten 19 off 18 balls. Bangladesh ended their innings at a modest 80 for 8 in 20 overs.
Supporting Renuka’s efforts, Radha Yadav also picked up three wickets, while Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma each took one. The Indian bowlers executed their plans flawlessly, leaving Bangladesh with little room to recover.
In response, Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana made sure there were no complications in the chase. They raced to 70 runs within 10 overs, effectively sealing the victory early in their innings. Bangladesh had opportunities, but their fielding woes continued, including a no-ball catch that allowed Mandhana a second chance.
Mandhana capitalised on this opportunity, reaching another half-century and ending the game with a boundary. India chased down the target without losing a wicket.
“Our bowlers did a brilliant job today. I’m really proud of them. Training and rehab on off-days are crucial, and it’s great to see the bowlers delivering what we’ve discussed in team meetings. We just want to keep this momentum and lift the trophy,” said Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, beaming with pride.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Sultana acknowledged their challenges, saying, “We failed with the bat, and losing wickets early in the Powerplay cost us the game. It’s tough to bounce back from that, and India played a smart game. Shorifa Khatun was unlucky not to get the strike in the last over; she has some good ball-striking ability.”
With their spirits high and determination unwavering, the Indian women’s team marches on to yet another Asia Cup final. The big question now is: who will they face in the summit clash—Pakistan or Sri Lanka?