In a thrilling encounter, the India women’s cricket team defeated Bangladesh women by 10 wickets, securing a spot in the final of the Asia Cup. Led by a brilliant bowling performance from Renuka Singh Thakur and Radha Yadav, India restricted Bangladesh to a modest 80/8. Renuka’s 3-10 and Radha’s 3-14 dismantled the Bangladeshi batting lineup, and India completed the chase in just 11 overs, with Smriti Mandhana scoring a half-century.
Throughout the match, India women never allowed the Bangladesh women’s batters to settle. With wickets falling at regular intervals, including in the powerplay and middle overs, Bangladesh struggled to form partnerships and set a challenging target. The Indian bowlers expertly curtailed boundary opportunities, leaving Bangladesh’s bowlers with little to defend as Mandhana and Shafali Verma propelled India into their ninth consecutive Women’s Asia Cup final.
Renuka’s initial three overs in the powerplay were particularly destructive. She struck crucial blows, including dismissing Dilara Akter after her attempt to repeat a six. Despite a brief flurry from Ishma Tanjim and Nigar Sultana, Bangladesh failed to capitalize on early opportunities. Renuka’s spell was followed by Radha Yadav, who continued the pressure, leading to Bangladesh’s collapse to 44/6 by the 10th over.
Bangladesh only managed to cross 50 in the 16th over, with Shorna Akter hitting the first boundary in over 11 overs. Deepti Sharma’s economical 18th over and Radha’s final over heroics—where she took two crucial wickets—kept Bangladesh’s total well below par.
In stark contrast, the India women’s team raced through their chase, surpassing 55 percent of the target during the powerplay. Mandhana’s quick boundaries, including a six, and Shafali’s early boundaries set a solid foundation. Mandhana’s aggressive batting continued as she scored three successive fours in the 11th over to secure the victory and complete her 38-ball fifty.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 80/8 (Nigar Sultana 32; Renuka Singh Thakur 3-10, Radha Yadav 3-14) lost to India 83/0 in 11 overs (Smriti Mandhana 55*, Shafali Verma 26*) by 10 wickets.