The Deepika TC-led Indian team got off to a solid start with consecutive victories (a 10-wicket win against Sri Lanka and another massive 209-run win against Australia) in the first couple of games in the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup. India were up against Nepal, led by Binita Pun, at Samprasidhi Sports Estadio, Bengaluru, in the 5th match of the tournament.
India lost the wicket of their opening batter, Anekha Devi, in the 2nd over of the innings, after skipper Binita Pun won the toss and opted to bowl first. Simu Das joined skipper Deepika TC at the crease, and the duo led the recovery with a massive 135-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Susma Tamang broke the threatening stand by sending Simu Das (68 off 42 balls) back to the pavilion in the 14th over of the innings to provide the much-needed 2nd breakthrough for Nepal.
Phula Saren (30 off 22 balls) joined skipper Deepkia TC (78* off 60 balls) at the crease, and the pair continued the momentum with a crucial 60-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, which also took them past the 200-run mark. India eventually posted a huge total of 209/3 in their quota of 20 overs. Skipper Deepika TC registered her 2nd consecutive half-century in the tournament.
Susma Tamang (4-0-45-1) was the lone wicket-taker with the ball for Nepal. Kanti Yogi (4-0-33-0) was impressive with the ball for her side.
Chasing a target of 210, the Nepali openers Mankeshi Chaudhary and skipper Binita Pun got their side off to a promising start with a 50+ opening stand. The pair gave some hope to the Nepal supporters for delivering a special performance. However, they suffered a massive blow as the news broke out from the Nepal camp, during the drinks break, that their skipper, Binita Pun (31 off 27 balls), had suffered a shoulder injury and, as a result, had to retire hurt. The number 3 batter, Susma Tamang, replaced their skipper at the crease.
Mankeshi Chaudhary (25 off 38 balls) was found short of her crease in the 13th over of the run chase to provide the first breakthrough for India. After her departure, Nepal’s innings lost momentum and were struggling to get closer to the required run chase. A 16-run partnership for the 2nd wicket between Binita Somai and Susma Tamang got them closer to the 100-run mark. Phula Saren, yet again, played a role in a run-out, sending Binita Somai back to the pavilion in the 15th over of the run chase, providing the 2nd breakthrough for the home side.
Nepal were eventually restricted to 124/5 in their quota of 20 overs. As a result, falling 85 runs short of the target. Susma Tamang (30 off 27 balls) and Bimala Rai (12 off 12 balls) were the only other batters to enter the double digits with the bat for Nepal. Basanti Hansda (1-0-5-1) was the only wicket-taker with the ball for India, while Ganga Kadam (2-0-9-0), skipper Deepika TC (2-0-10-0), and Phula Saren (2-0-10-0) were impressive with the ball for their side.
Skipper Deepika TC bagged her 2nd consecutive Player of the Match award for scoring her 2nd consecutive half-century (78* off 60 balls) in the tournament, setting up another dominant victory for India, which was yet again backed with a pinpoint display in the field.
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