With three wins each from as many league games, both Odisha and Karnataka advanced to the Semi-Finals. Following respective victories against Andhra Pradesh and Delhi, the two teams clashed in the Final of the Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament For The Blind 2024.
Staged at Karnataka’s Gymkhana Ground in Hubli, the local team opted to bat first. Karnataka faced early setbacks as national skipper Varsha Umapathi departed for 10(6), and Sunita Dhondappanavar followed, being run out on 1(3).
While opener Deepika TC held on at one end, wickets continued to tumble at the other. Karnataka’s middle order collapsed with Kavya N.R (6), Bhagamma (4), and Laxmi P (2) departing cheaply. Deepika’s resistance was breached as she walked back on 16(20), and adding to the team’s worries was Kavya VC departing for 2(4) as Karnataka found themselves 7 down for just 46 inside 9 overs.
Divakka and Renuka Rajput stitched an invaluable 28-run partnership for the side as Karnataka hung in the contest. Following Divakka’s dismissal on 12(24), Lakshmi B provided some resistance during her 7-run stay. With Ranjitha B bowled for a 3-ball duck, Renuka remained unbeaten on 17(33) and guided Karnataka to a respectable total of 93.
Jamuna Rani Tudu was the pick of the bowlers for Odisha with a couple of wickets to her name, while Phula Saren, Parbati Marndi, Rachana Jena, and Muni Purty each claimed a wicket.
Talk of perfect starts, and Karnataka had one as skipper Phula Saren departed for a golden duck. However, Rachana Jena and Jamuna Rani Tudu stepped up for the team with a brief yet handy 21-run partnership, which ended with Rachana departing for 9. Basanti Hansda then joined Jamuna, and another 21-run stand saw Odisha take cruise control of the game.
Following Jamuna’s dismissal on 24(23), Jhili Birua (3) was run out, and Odisha quickly found themselves 4 down with 52 on the board in the 7th over. Padmini Tudu accompanied a set and striking Basanti, who remained unbeaten on 34 off 25 balls, with Padmini on 14*(17) as Odisha sealed a 6-wicket win in the 13th over.
Jhili Birua was named the Player of the Match in the final. Meanwhile, the Player of the Series in the B1 category was awarded to Simu Das from Rajasthan, the B2 Category to Menka Kumari from Delhi, and the B3 category to Jhili Birua. The players of the series were awarded a Rs 10,000 cash prize. The runners-up were awarded Rs 80,000, while the winners received Rs 1,04,000.
