The second semi-final of the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy Elite was a masterclass in clinical cricket, as Railways Women secured their place in the final with a 27-run victory over a resilient Chhattisgarh.
Played at the Ropar Cricket Ground on February 25, 2026, the match saw the defending heavyweights post a challenging 173/8 in their allotted 50 overs. Chhattisgarh fought gallantly but ultimately fell short, being bowled out for 146 in 49.5 overs. It was a game where Railways’ big-match temperament outweighed Chhattisgarh’s spirited effort to pull off a historic upset.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat and fall of early wickets, reduced to 37/4 at one stage, Railways relied on the composure of Bhavana Goplani, who anchored the innings with a vital 65 off 68 balls. Her knock was the backbone of the Railways’ total, especially as Chhattisgarh’s bowlers maintained tight lines throughout the morning. Despite the pressure, Goplani’s ability to find the fence helped Railways maintain a run rate of 3.46, reaching 173/8.
On the bowling side for Chhattisgarh, Mahak Narwase was the absolute standout, finishing with impressive figures of 3/26 in her 10 overs to keep the powerhouse batting lineup within reach. Urmila Harina, Tarannum Pathan, and Aditi Pawar also bagged a wicket each. For Railways, Arushi Goel also stepped up with a 103-ball 51, while Minnu Mani (18), Shipra Giri (17), and Dayalan Hemalatha (11) managed starts.
Chasing 174 for a spot in the final, Chhattisgarh knew they needed a steady start. However, they found it difficult to break the shackles against a disciplined Railways attack. Neha Badwaik played a fighting knock of 38, trying her best to anchor the chase as wickets fell at the other end. Opener Mahak Narwase also looked good for her 93-ball 35, given the testing conditions.
The team showed immense heart, taking the game deep into the final over, but the scoreboard pressure of the semi-final eventually took its toll. Shivani Krishna (15) and Priti Yadav (15) chipped in with handy runs lower down the order, but it was a little too much for the tail to do. The turning point of the second innings was the introduction of veteran leg-spinner Poonam Yadav.
Yadav turned the tide in favor of Railways, weaving a web around the middle order to finish with figures of 3/28. Her experience in high-pressure situations was evident as she stifled the run flow and induced critical mistakes from the Chhattisgarh batters. Supported by a sharp fielding unit, the Railways bowlers ensured that Chhattisgarh never quite found the big over they needed to tilt the momentum back in their favor.
In the end, experience proved to be the deciding factor. Railways’ ability to defend a sub-200 total highlighted why they are the most successful side in the tournament’s history. Chhattisgarh was bowled out for 146 with just one ball remaining in the match, falling 27 runs short of the target. For her match-winning half-century under pressure, Bhavana Goplani was rightfully named Player of the Match. Railways now head into the final, against Delhi, with momentum on their side, while Chhattisgarh exits with their heads held high after a competitive campaign.
Loves all things female cricket