The Senior Women’s One Day Trophy has once again proven why it is one of the most anticipated tournaments in Indian domestic cricket. After weeks of riveting cricket, two formidable teams, Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, will battle it out for supremacy. Bengal, one of only three teams to have lifted this coveted trophy, will aim to reclaim glory, while Madhya Pradesh, in their maiden final, will look to make history.
Semi-Final 1: A Clash of Titans – Railways vs Bengal
The first semi-final witnessed a scintillating battle between defending champions Railways and the spirited Bengal side. Winning the toss, Bengal chose to field first, hoping to restrict Railways’ powerful lineup. Saika Ishaque gave Bengal an early breakthrough by dismissing Indrani Roy (2 off 18) cheaply. However, Railways quickly regained control as Nuzhat Parween and Jhansi Lakshmi put on a batting masterclass.
Both players showcased immense composure and flair, with Parween smashing a splendid 116 off 118 balls and Lakshmi crafting a well-paced 120 off 140. Their mammoth 217-run partnership set a rock-solid foundation for Railways. Towards the end, brisk cameos from Dayalan Hemalatha (12 off 6) and Sneh Rana (30* off 16) ensured Railways got to the 300-run mark, finishing at an imposing 300/5. Among Bengal’s bowlers, Ishaque was the standout, bagging 3 wickets for 48 runs in her spell.
Chasing such a massive target was a daunting task, but Bengal, known for their fearless approach, began confidently. Their top-order fired collectively, with Sasthi Mondal (21 off 23), Dhara Gujjar (123 off 123), Tanusree Sarkar (35 off 47), and Mita Paul (76 off 66) making vital contributions. The partnership between Gujjar and Paul was nothing short of a match-defining effort, as they added 152 runs in just 108 deliveries. This partnership not only stabilized the chase but also shifted the momentum in Bengal’s favor.
Even as Railways bowlers, led by Hemalatha (2 for 44), tried to claw back, Bengal’s lower middle-order, comprising Priyanka Bala (20 off 19) and Prativa (14 off 16), held their nerves to steer the team home with an over to spare. This thrilling chase marked yet another milestone in Bengal’s remarkable campaign.
Semi-Final 2: Madhya Pradesh Script a Fairytale Against Mumbai
The second semi-final was a stark contrast to the first, as Madhya Pradesh completely outclassed Mumbai in a one-sided contest. Mumbai, fresh off a tie against Delhi where both teams scored 321 runs, failed to replicate their batting heroics. Opting to bat first, they started steadily with an opening partnership of 44 between Vrushali Bhagat (28 off 27) and Riya Chaudhari (15 off 28). However, the dismissal of Chaudhari by Shuchi Upadhyay triggered a collapse.
Mumbai lost three wickets for just 13 runs, slipping to 57/4. Despite brief resistance from Ira Jadhav (35 off 44), Jagravi Pawar (22 off 39), and Khushi (35 off 31), they struggled to build meaningful partnerships. Shuchi Upadhyay was the wrecker-in-chief, delivering a sensational spell of 5 for 38 to restrict Mumbai to a modest total of 161.
Madhya Pradesh began their chase cautiously but faced an early setback when opener Jincy George departed with the score at 10. Despite losing Anushka Sharma and Soumya Tiwari in quick succession, they never looked out of control. Ananya Dubey’s unbeaten 75 off 128 anchored the innings beautifully, while Aayushi Shukla (44* off 67) complemented her perfectly. Their unbroken 102-run stand sealed a comfortable seven-wicket victory for Madhya Pradesh, who reached the target with 16 balls to spare.
This year’s edition of the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy has been nothing short of extraordinary. From Bengal’s record-breaking chase of 390 against Haryana to the nail-biting tie between Mumbai and Delhi, the tournament has given fans countless moments to cherish.
Now, all eyes turn to the grand finale. Bengal, with their rich legacy and a title already to their name, will bring both experience and momentum to the game. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh will hope to carry their dream run forward and lift their maiden trophy.
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