On the opening day of Women’s Asia Cup Twenty 2024, India women thumped arch-rival Pakistan easily. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma’s 85-run opening partnership gave India control of the match quickly.
Pooja Vastrakar bowled an accurate, short, and straight delivery that caught Rinitha Rajith unaware. Samaira Dharnidharka also scored off her thick edge to short extra cover and scored one run off it.
Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur scored her 12th T20I half-century to help India post an impressive total against UAE at Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, Women’s Asia Cup 2024 match. Her partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues (54) and Richa Ghosh (75 off 45 balls) ensured India didn’t run out of striker’s partners at striker’s end.
Bowler Theertha Satish was dismissed for just four runs during the powerplay; Rinitha Rajith miscued her shot and was caught at mid-on. This gave her team an invaluable edge in their defence of 202 runs. In the bowling department, she took two key wickets that gave them an important boost against bowlers from India’s bowling attack. First she got rid of Theertha Satish quickly with just four deliveries bowled before she bowled out Rinitha Rajith for just four more runs over her bowled over.
Richa Ghosh
India enjoys a comfortable lead at the top of Pool A with two points from three games but will look to further fine-tune their tactics against UAE in their third match. After dominating Nepal during their opening match, this will be quite different against UAE who suffered a crushing six-wicket defeat at their opening encounter of this tournament.
Ghosh made her mark in the final over, hitting five fours to propel India to 217 in 20 overs. Harmanpreet displayed incredible form with her impressive knock of 66 off 47 balls that included seven boundaries – giving India an invaluable foundation.
Radha Yadav bowled a fuller delivery on off, which Kavisha Egodage hit back for one run to midwicket before hitting two fours off subsequent balls – an lofted shot over mid-off and an audacious drive through extra cover.
Jemimah Rodrigues
Jemimah Rodrigues’ versatility as both a three and five batsperson is proving vital for India, especially given her strong bottom hand for big hits and effective spinner dismissal.
India Women were led by Rodrigues who led their run chase against Pakistan Women in the opening match of the Asia Cup. She played an excellent innings hitting 11 boundaries and two sixes en route.
She led her team to victory with ease by amassing a total score of 124 in the chase and ensured it never looked in doubt.
She proved herself adept in the field, too, picking up one wicket with her first delivery of the match against Kavisha Egodage with an effective short and wide delivery which caused her lofted shot not fully to connect, leading to an extra cover catch at extra cover – her sole wicket of the match.
Renuka Singh
India Women are set to face UAE Women in their fifth match of Asia Cup 2024 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka, so here’s everything you need to know for this epic clash – Dream11 predictions, pitch reports and more from both teams are provided below so you’re fully prepared.
Smriti Mandhana’s outstanding performances against South Africa in ODIs and T20Is has put her in an ideal position heading into this match against UAE Women. She looks set to continue her incredible batting form.
Vice-captain Samantha Jones scored three fours and a six in her initial seven balls, promising an excellent start for her team against UAE Women. She will continue to build on this start by being instrumental with both bat and ball against them.
