The 19th edition of the Asian Games commenced on 19th September 2023. Cricket made its return to the Asian Games after a gap of 9 years. The Indian women’s and men’s team are making their maiden appearance in the Games after missing out on the last couple of occasions in the years 2010 and 2014.
The Indian women’s team kickstarted their journey in the Asian Games on a very positive note against Malaysia, especially with the bat as the 19-year-old opening batter Shafali Verma took a full toll on the Malaysian bowlers as she cruised her way to a 39-ball 67, scoring at an impressive strike rate of 171.79. The 19-year-old wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh provided a blockbuster finish to the innings as she blazed her way to 21 off just seven balls scoring at a mind-boggling strike rate of 300.
The 23-year-old middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues provided crucial support from the other end as she stayed unbeaten on 47, scoring at an impressive strike rate of 162.06 to take India to 173/2 before the rains arrived to see the game eventually getting called off. India made their way into the semi-final.
Bangladesh on the other hand, had to wait to get out there in the park for the first time in this edition of the Asian Games. Their game against Hong Kong was washed out courtesy of the persistent rains and as a result, Bangladesh progressed to the semi-final stage where they were set to face India.
Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty won the toss and opted to bat first in the semi-final. The 18-year-old pacer Titas Sadhu who was a part of India’s under-19 World Cup-winning side was making her debut for the senior women’s side. She replaced the 24-year-old all-rounder Minnu Mani in the playing 11 for India.
All-rounder Pooja Vastrakar provided a dream start for India by dismissing both the Bangladeshi openers in the very first over of the innings. The Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty joined Sobhana Mostary at the crease and the duo stitched a 17-run partnership for the third wicket. Pooja Vastrakar came back and picked up her 3rd wicket of the game by dismissing Sobhana Mostary.
The Bangladesh batting lineup never really recovered as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out for just 51 with more than two overs to spare. Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty 12 (17 balls) was the top performer with the bat and was the only batter to enter into the double digits. All-rounder Pooja Vastrakar (4-0-17-4) alongside the debutant Titas Sadhu (4-0-10-1) were the top performers with the ball for India. It was also Pooja Vastrakar’s career-best figures, with the ball in the T20I format.
India's dominance continues! 🇮🇳
They beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets to secure their spot in the Asian Games Finals! 🏆#CricketTwitter #AsianGames pic.twitter.com/f9UintGDaY
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 24, 2023
Chasing a target of 52, the Indian openers got off to a steady start. Marufa Akter provided the first breakthrough for Bangladesh by sending the Indian skipper Smriti Mandhana back to the pavilion. Jemimah Rodrigues joined opening batter Shafali Verma at the crease and the duo brought India closer to victory with a 21-run partnership for the second wicket. Leg-spinner Fahima Khatun provided the second breakthrough by dismissing Shafali Verma.
The duo of Kanika Ahuja and Jemimah Rodrigues eventually saw India over the line to seal a spot in the gold medal match. Jemimah Rodrigues (20 off 15 balls) was the top performer with the bat for India. Marufa Akter (1/13) was the top performer with the ball for Bangladesh.
INDIA in the FINAL 😍🇮🇳
They seal their FINAL berth beating Bangladesh comfortably by 8 wickets.#CricketTwitter #AsianGames #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/KEKVtHZGRo
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 24, 2023