What a thrilling encounter the third women’s ODI between India and Bangladesh turned out to be, with the game ending in a tie! The match had all the ingredients of a nail-biter, but what will remain etched in memories is India’s dramatic batting collapse. Needing 226 to win, India’s batting line-up seemed confident, especially with Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol scoring fifties. However, poor running, rash shot-making, and a lack of common sense saw India’s batting fall apart like a house of cards.
Meanwhile, Fargana Hoque starred for Bangladesh, cracking her maiden ODI ton and also stitched a stand of 93 for the opening wicket with Shamima Sultana to lay the foundation for the home side’s good score.
At 139 for 2, with Mandhana and Harleen at the crease, India seemed to be in control. However, Mandhana fell to Fahima Khatun. Harmanpreet too departed with the score reading 160. The India skipper showed her frustration at the LBW decision as she ended up smashing the stumps with the bat– something which could and should have been avoided. To make matters, Harleen lost her wicket on the back of a mix-up, leading to her run-out.
Wickets began to tumble like dominoes, leaving India’s batting line-up in shambles. The tailenders offered no support, and Jemimah Rodrigues was left stranded at the crease with no one to guide her through the storm. Even as an experienced batter in the team, Rodrigues also failed to take up responsibility at a crucial juncture of the game and kept on giving the strike back to the tail-enders. As the final over approached, India needed a mere three runs, but Bangladesh needed just one wicket.
Marufa was handed the responsibility of bowling the last over, and the tension was palpable. A single and then another single followed, and with just one run needed, India’s chances were still alive. However, heartbreak was in store as Meghna Singh was caught behind, and the match ended in parity.
It is a stark reminder that cricket is a game of small margins, and every decision and run can make a significant impact on the final result. This match will serve as a learning experience, and perhaps there will be some calls about accountability from selection committee and team management.
On her part, Harmanpreet criticised the umpiring decisions at the presentation ceremony. “The kind of umpiring that was happening we were very surprised. The next time we come to Bangladesh we will make sure we have to deal with this type of umpiring and prepare ourselves accordingly.”
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will celebrate this tie as if it were a victory. Their bowlers showed remarkable composure in the final overs, keeping their nerve to execute the plan and putting India under immense pressure.
India vs Bangladesh 3rd Women’s ODI ends in a tie!
Was Harmanpreet Kaur right in smashing the stumps? Why lack of strike rotation? Where is the accountability?
Here’s @BoriaMajumdar analysing the performances#BANvIND @ThumsUpOfficial pic.twitter.com/HSnkGsZSGY
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) July 22, 2023