Bengal led by skipper Saika Ishaque, finished at the top of the points tables of the 2024-25 Senior Women’s One Day Trophy in group E with 20 points from 6 games including 5 victories to their name. On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh led by skipper Rahila Firdous led the table in Group C with 20 points from 6 games including 5 victories in the league stages of the tournament.
Madhya Pradesh stunned Mumbai led by skipper Humairaa Kaazi by 7 wickets in the 2nd semi-final in Rajkot to book their spot in the final. On the other hand, Bengal handed Railways, led by skipper Sneh Rana, a hard pill to swallow, with a 6 wicket win in the first semi-final to book their spot in the final.
Madhya Pradesh led by skipper Rahila Firdous was up against Bengal led by skipper Saika Ishaque in the title clash of the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy 2024 at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot.
Kranti Gaud leads the charge with a four-wicket haul as Bengal folds for 136
Bengal got off to a poor start, losing three wickets, including the wicket of the keeper-batter Richa Ghosh after the opposition skipper Rahila Firdous won the toss and inserted them to bat first. Mita Paul joined Tanusree Sarkar at the crease and the duo formed a much-needed 27-run partnership for the 4th wicket, to lead some sort of a recovery for their side.
Shuchi Uapdhyay picked up the wicket of Sarkar (21 off 29 balls) to provide the 4th breakthrough for Madhya Pradesh. Another crucial 25-run partnership for the 5th wicket between Priyanka Bala and Mita Paul took their side past the 50-run mark. Vaishnavi Sharma picked up the wicket of Mita Paul (25 off 45 balls) to provide the crucial breakthrough for her side.
Bengal were eventually bundled out for 136 with 70 balls to spare. A vital 28-run partnership for the 8th wicket between Titas Sadhu (14 off 19 balls) and Priyanka Bala (42 off 74 balls) took their side past the 100-run mark. Kranti Gaud (9-1-25-4) was the pick of the bowlers for Madhya Pradesh. Shuchi Uapdhyay (9-2-23-2), Priyanka (6.2-19-2), and Vaishnavi Sharma (6-1-27-2) picked up a couple of wickets each and played their part with the ball for Madhya Pradesh.
In-form Anushka Sharma and Aayushi Shukla power Madhya Pradesh to glory
Chasing a modest target of 137, Madhya Pradesh lost their opening batter Jincy George in the 4th over of the run chase. Titas Sadhu provided the first breakthrough for Bengal. Ananya Dubey joined Anushka Sharma at the crease and the duo settled the nerves with a crucial 82-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, also taking their side closer to the 100-run mark.
Bengal bounced back with double strikes removing Ananya Dubey (27 off 63 balls) and Soumya Tiwari in quick succession. However, Aayushi Shukla partnered with the opening batter Anushka Sharma to take their side over the line with an unbeaten 46-run 4th-wicket partnership to seal the game with 7 wickets in hand and 92 balls to spare. Anushka Sharma completed her well-deserved half-century and stayed unbeaten on 69* (102 balls), alongside Aayushi Shukla (30* off 29 balls).
Titas Sadhu (8-0-32-3), and skipper Saika Ishaque (8-2-24-0) were the stand-out performers with the ball for Bengal.
Kranti Gaud was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning spell with the ball for her side in the final. Shuchi Uapdhyay was awarded the Player of the Tournament for picking up 16 wickets in 8 innings at an impressive average of 15.93 and an economy of 3.60, playing a crucial role in helping their side clinch their maiden title in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy.
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