A clinical performance by India against Bangladesh on Monday at the WACA brings them back to the top of the table, winning two out of two games. Early in the day, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field first.
The Bangladeshis put up a decent show with the ball as they managed to restrict the Indians to 142-6 in 20 overs. In the absence of southpaw Smriti Mandhana, who was down with a viral fever, the Women in Blue had a new opening pair in wicket-keeper Taniya Bhatia and regular opener Shafali Verma to start the proceedings. Though Bhatia (2) could not stay in the middle for long, the swashbuckling Verma ensured that India got off to a flying start.
Here’s a quick comparison between India and Bangladesh innings. #INDvBAN #T20WorldCup #WT20WC pic.twitter.com/ByhzyB7Ip2
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 24, 2020
The 16-year old muscled a 17-ball 39 smashing two boundaries and four sixes to set the tone of the innings. Mumbai bat Jemimah Rodrigues showed her class yet again as she scored a patient 34 (37). Towards the end, another 16-year old Richa Ghosh (14) and her senior partner Veda Krishnamurthy (20 not out) took the team past the 140-run mark. Among the wickets were skipper Salma Khatun and Panna Ghosh, each accounting for two dismissals.
End of the Indian innings-
India 142/6 in 20 overs.
Shafali Verma-39(17)
Jemimah-34(37)Pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh-
Panna Ghosh-4-0-25-2
Salma Khatun-4-0-25-2Is 142/6 a winning total?#INDvBAN #T20WorldCup #WT20WC pic.twitter.com/swhw1cIs7O
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 24, 2020
Chasing 143, Bangladesh did manage to put up a good show with the bat as in the end they fell short of just 18 runs. Opening bat Murshida Khatun (30) and wicket-keeper Nigar Sultana (35) played well to take their team to a commanding position. However, the middle order failed to click as the batters, after getting to good starts were sent packing by a strong Indian bowling attack. Just like the last match against Australia, for the Women in Blue, the pick of the bowlers was the leggie Poonam Yadav, who struck with 3-18 in her four overs. The pace duo of Shikha Pandey (2-14) and Arundhati Reddy (2-33) gave Yadav good support to reduce their Asian counterparts to 124-8 in 20 overs.
Having lost to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup finals in 2018, the Indians redeemed themselves by winning the match against the Bangla tigresses quite comprehensively.
Player of the Match, who else other than @TheShafaliVerma 🇮🇳🙌 #INDvBAN #T20WorldCup #WT20WC pic.twitter.com/0C9SEaeXkW
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 24, 2020
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.