Indian Women extend their unbeaten run to the second match in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, defeating Bangladesh Women by 18 runs in their second Group A match today at the WACA Ground in Perth. Defending a total of 142, India exhausted the opponents by 124-for-8 by the 20th over thanks to stunning performance from the bowling squad.
Although India’s wicket keeping opener Taniya Bhatia left the crease with just 2 runs, it was the stunning partnership of India’s young sensational duo Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodriguez that boosted India’s total in the first innings.
Opening alongside Bhatia, Verma pulled off a swashbuckling 17-ball-39, including two boundaries and four over bondaries. Comparatively slower, Rodriguez scored 34 runs from 37 balls, with two fours and one six.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur failed to make a mark today, after losing her wicket on 8 runs against Panna Ghosh’s delivery. Deepti Sharma (11) and Richa Ghosh (14) were both eliminated in the 17th over.
Veda Krishnamurthy pulled off a quick 20-off-11 at the end, alongside Shikha Pandey’s effort of 7, totalling the score to 142 for 6 wickets. Bangladesh skipper Salma Khatun and Panna Ghosh secured two wickets each.
However, the Indian bowlers showed their prowess in defending their total. Except Murshida Khatun (30-off-26) and wicket keeper Nigar Sultana’s (35-off-26) efforts, the Tigresses’ batting lineup were devastated against a charged attack from the Indian bowling squad, led by Poonam Yadav.
Player of the match from the first game, Yadav picked up three wickets in today’s game, and just gave out 18 runs from four overs. Shikha Pandey and Arundhati Reddy each secured two, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad sent the stormy Sultana back to the pavilion.
Shafali Verma was named Player of the match, courtesy to her finesse with the bat in the first innings. Despite without her opening partner Smriti Mandhana, Verma’s amazing knock gave WOmen in Blue the pace in the first innings.
“Since Mandhana wasn’t around, I wanted to take the responsibility to stay around and give India a good start.” Verma said in the post match interview.
“I’ve been practising hitting the ball hard and I would like to bring the team more success in the future. I’d like to continue doing this, help India win matches and ultimately win us the World Cup.” the 16 year old added.
With two clean victories from two games, Indian women are leading Group A with four points. They are taking on New Zealand Women this Thursday at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.
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