In the first match of the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh Women’s A, India opted to bat first after winning the toss at the Karnataka State Cricket Association ground in Hubli. An experienced Indian team got off to a great start in the series as they went 1-0 up beating Bangladesh by 32 runs banking on a great start provided by the Indian openers. Indian bowlers were economical throughout the innings as they restricted the opponents within the total set by the Indian batters.
India started the innings with the experienced Vanitha VR and MD Thirushkamini as they played a hundred runs partnership and provided India with a great start. Vanitha was in her attacking mode right from the start of the match, while Thirushkamini played the waiting game. India reached the 100 run mark in the 24th over before Thirushkamini was stumped on 24 by Nigar Sultana Joty off Rumana Ahmed. Vanitha who was scoring at the strike rate of 85 got out on 76 with the help of 11 fours and one six. The middle-order also provided good support to the top order and helped India cross the 200 mark. The young batswoman from Mumbai Jemimah Rodrigues, who is having dream run with the bat, got a good start before she fell into the hands of the keeper of Rumana at the score of 24. Skipper Anuja Patil (33) and Devika Vaidya (24) played crucial knocks to help India post a good total of 215 runs on the board. Nahida Akter picked three wickets quickly to stop the flow of runs as she finished with 3 for 35 runs in 6 overs. Skipper Rumana Ahmed also bowled some tight lines and picked two key wickets to keep the runs on check.
In reply, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals as they couldn’t up the scoring rate which proved crucial for the side. Bangladesh got an early blow when they lost the first wicket of Sarmin Sultana at the score of 11 as Kavita Patil took a brilliant catch from her own delivery. Indian bowlers were cheap throughout the innings as they lost their second wicket at the score of 30 runs in the 11th over. The right-handed batter Lata Mondol topped the Bangladesh batting chart as she missed her fifty just by 5 runs as she got bowled by Jemimah. Sultana Joty (32) and Rumana Ahmed (39) tried to build a good partnership at the end; however, Joty was removed by Devika Vaidya bringing the curtains down for the Bangladesh team. All the bowlers proved to be vital as they kept Bangladesh 35 runs short, however, Devika proved crucial as he finished her quota of 10 overs with 2 for 35.
India will be high on confidence after a good start to the series; however, the Bangladesh side will be keen to turn things into their favor when they take on each other in the second match of the series scheduled to take place on December 5.
Brief score: India Women’s A 215/9 (Vanitha VR 76, Anuja Patil 33) Nahida Akter 3/35 beat Bangladesh Women’s A 183/6 (Lata Mondol 45, Rumana Ahmed 39*) Devika Vaidya 2/35 by 32 runs.