Although the hosts India Women suffered a big defeat against New Zealand Women in the second WODI match of the three-match series, Radhav Yadav’s all-round performances impressed the Indian cricket fans. During that game, she created a new record that none of the other players recorded in the WODI history.

Trailing the series by 1-0, New Zealand Women captain Sophie Devine chose to bat first at Ahmedabad. After the openers provided a good start with an 87-run partnership between Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer, captain Sophie Devine played an important innings. While Bates scored 58, Plimmer scored 41 runs.

In the middle-order, while Maddy Green scored 42 runs, skipper Devine scored 79 off 86 balls with seven fours and one six. Their batting helped New Zealand Women score 259/9 in 50 overs.

Radha Yadav took crucial wickets with the ball

Among the Indian bowlers, Radha Yadav was the best, as the left-arm spinner had bowling figures of 10-0-69-4. She took the crucial wickets of Bates, Green, and Devine before dismissing Lea Tahuhu (0).

Radha Yadav stunned with her great catches

Apart from her bowling, Radha also had a significant contribution with her fielding, as she took three catches, including two incredible and unforgettable catches. 

Catch it like Radha Yadav 😎

What a grab to get the opening wicket!

Georgia Plimmer departs as Deepti Sharma strikes ⚡️

Live - https://t.co/2sqq9BtvjZ#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @Radhay_21 | @Deepti_Sharma06 pic.twitter.com/DCIcUr0Yqj

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 27, 2024

𝘼𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙖𝙙𝙝𝙖 𝙔𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙫 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡! 🤩

This time she runs all the way back and successfully takes a skier 👏👏

Maiden international wicket for Priya Mishra as Brooke Halliday departs.

Live - https://t.co/2sqq9BtvjZ#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/nFbs7wTqZ6

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 27, 2024

📸📸 Catching excellence snapped ft. Radha Yadav 💯

Live - https://t.co/2sqq9BtvjZ#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @Radhay_21 pic.twitter.com/bzQ4c6WyRx

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 27, 2024

Radha Yadav scored the highest runs in India Women innings

In reply, once again, the Indian top-order batters struggled. Although most got starts, they failed to convert those into good scores. India Women were once struggling at the hopeless position of 108/8. Once again, Radha Yadav played an important role as she had a 70-run partnership with Saima Thakor.

While India Women were all out for 183 runs and lost by 76 runs, Radha and Saima were the top two scorers of that innings. While Radha scored 48 runs, Saima scored 29 runs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (24) was the other Indian to reach the 20-run mark in that innings.

The White Ferns captain Sophie Devine once again shined in that innings as she was the best bowler for her team with the bowling figures of 7.1-0-27-3. Lea Tahuhu (3/42) was the other bowler to claim three wickets in that innings. 

Although India Women lost the match, Radha Yadav became the first cricketer in WODI history to score at least 40 runs, pick up at least four wickets, and take a minimum of three catches in a WODI match.

Talking about scoring 30 runs, picking up three wickets, and taking three catches in the same WODI match, Radha became the second player. New Zealand cricketer Suzie Bates was the first player in this record book with 82 runs, three wickets, and three catches against England Women at Taunton in August 2007.  

In the crucial Group A match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, India Women was forced to make one change in the playing XI after the toss. 

Sharjah Cricket Stadium is hosting the India Women vs Australia Women match. It is the must-win game for India Women to stay in the semifinals contention. 

Australian captain Alyssa Healy is injured as she was seen on crutches before the toss. Tahila McGrath is leading the Australian team for the match, while Ellyse Perry is the vice-captain for this fixture. 

After winning the toss, the Australian stand-in captain Tahila McGrath had no hesitation in choosing batting first. They made two changes from their last playing XI as Grace Harris and Darcie Brown replaced the injured Alyssa Healy and Tayla Vlaeminck. 

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur was ok in the toss as she was confident to chase in Sharjah. At the toss, she confirmed India’s only change as Pooja Vastrakar replacing Sajeevan Sajana. 

Asha Sobhana was injured after the toss

However, just after the toss, the leg-spinner Asha Sobhana was seen hobbling, as she was moved out of the playing area for the treatment. Importantly, Asha was in India’s playing XI, which was already revealed at the toss.

Radha Yadav joined as a replacement

Now, India Women can only bring the replacement in the playing XI after the nod from Australia Women. As Australia Women had no problem with the replacement, the left-arm spinner Radha Yadav replaced Asha in the playing XI. 

In the official statement, the BCCI said, "Asha Sobhana is unable to participate in the today's game against Australia after she suffered a knee injury during the warm-up on the sidelines of toss. The ICC Match Referee requested the Australian captain [Tahlia McGrath] who agreed to the request for a replacement in India's Playing XI. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring Asha's progress."

UPDATE: Ms Asha Sobhana is unable to participate in the today's game against Australia after she suffered a knee injury during the warm-up on the sidelines of toss.

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 13, 2024

In a thrilling semi-final clash of the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup in Dambulla, India emerged victorious against Bangladesh, thanks to a dominant bowling performance. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to put scoreboard pressure on India in this knockout game. However, their plan faltered as the Indian bowlers dismantled their batting lineup, restricting them to just 80 runs in 20 overs.

Indian bowlers shine with Renuka and Radha leading the charge

India made some strategic changes to their lineup, including the introduction of young wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry as a specialist batter, replacing D Hemalatha. Pooja Vastrakar returned to the team after being rested in the previous group fixture, replacing Arundhati Reddy in the pace department. Harmanpreet Kaur also returned after missing the last group game, replacing S Sajana.

The star of the show was Renuka Singh, who delivered a remarkable performance with the ball, picking up three crucial wickets in the powerplay. Her figures of 3/10 set the tone for India’s dominance in the match. Following Renuka’s lead, spinner Radha Yadav also played a pivotal role, taking three wickets for just 14 runs. Together, they dismantled Bangladesh’s batting order, leaving them reeling at 80/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

The Indian bowlers, led by Renuka and Radha, executed their plans flawlessly, maintaining tight lines and not allowing the Bangladesh batters to settle. Pooja Vastrakar’s all-round contribution further strengthened India’s control over the game.

India bring win against Bangladesh

Bangladesh, who had hoped to replicate their 2018 Asia Cup final victory over India, were left disappointed as their batting lineup crumbled under pressure.

Radha Yadav holds the record as the fastest Indian woman to reach 50 wickets in T20 Internationals, achieving this milestone in just 36 innings. She is followed by Poonam Yadav, who took 38 innings, and Ekta Bisht, who reached the mark in 39 innings. Rajeshwari Gayakwad achieved the feat in 41 innings, while Renuka Singh Thakur took 45 innings to reach her 50th wicket.

Deepti Sharma achieved the milestone in 46 innings, while legendary bowler Jhulan Goswami took 59 innings, and Pooja Vastrakar completed the list by reaching 50 T20I wickets in 60 innings. This impressive list showcases the depth of talent and skill in Indian women’s cricket.

See Also: India welcomes new coaching staff under Gautam Gambhir – Cricket Winner

The win showcased India’s depth in both pace and spin bowling, with Renuka Singh and Radha Yadav emerging as standout performers. As India looks forward to the final, they will aim to carry this momentum and clinch the Asia Cup title.

Renuka Singh Thakur and Radha Yadav led India’s bowling attack, helping the team reach the final of the Asia Cup by defeating Bangladesh by 10 wickets. Renuka 3-10 and Radha 3-14 shines with the ball, limiting Bangladesh to just 80/8. India chased down the target in only 11 overs, with Mandhana scoring a quick fifty.

India’s bowlers never let Bangladesh settle after they chose to bat. Wickets fell regularly in the powerplay, middle overs, and at the end, preventing Bangladesh from building any partnerships. With boundaries hard to come by, Bangladesh’s bowlers had no chance as Mandhana and Shafali powered India into their ninth Women’s Asia Cup final.

Bangladesh innings

Powerplay: Renuka strikes early

Renuka bowled three overs in the powerplay, taking a wicket in each. Dilara Akter hit a six but was out trying to repeat the shot. Ishma Tanjim edged Renuka to short third man after hitting two fours off Pooja Vastrakar. Murshida Khatun was dropped but then caught in the deep trying to pull Renuka. Regular wickets meant Bangladesh couldn’t capitalize in the powerplay.

Middle overs: Bangladesh struggles

Renuka bowled a maiden in the seventh over to finish her spell. Indian bowlers kept it tight, not allowing Bangladesh to score freely. Radha bowled Rumana Ahmed in the 10th over, leaving Bangladesh at 32/4. Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni fell quickly, leaving Bangladesh at 44/6.

Death overs: Radha’s tight bowling

Bangladesh crossed 50 in the 16th over. Shorna Akter edged Radha for a four, their first boundary in over 11 overs. Deepti bowled an economical 18th over. Shorna and Sultana managed a four each off Vastrakar. Radha bowled an excellent final over, dismissing Sultana and Nahida Akter, keeping Bangladesh to a low total.

India innings

Powerplay: Strong start

India started quickly, scoring over half the target in the powerplay. Mandhana and Shafali hit boundaries off Marufa Akter and Nahida. Mandhana hit a six off Jahanara Alam and two fours off Nahida. Despite Jahanara’s tight sixth over, India had a strong powerplay.

Middle overs: Mandhana finishes early

Mandhana edged Jahanara to backward point but was relieved as the bowler overstepped. Mandhana hit a four off Rabeya Khan. In the 11th over, Mandhana hit three successive fours off Nahida, reaching her fifty and finishing the chase.

Player of the Match(Renuka Singh):

“I am very happy. It was a big match for us and to do well is a good feeling. The idea is to work on the basics. I executed what we prepared yesterday. Got a lot help from the wind blowing across. I like bowling with the new ball, and got to bowl my spell early. I was happy with all my wickets, because you get rewarded for your work.”

India ended their league matches with a perfect win record by beating Nepal by 82 runs in Dambulla on Tuesday (July 23). With this victory, India secured a spot in the semifinals. Earlier, Purla also confirmed their semifinal place from Group A by defeating UAE.

Shafali Verma’s Knock Leads India’s Strong Batting Performance

Shafali Verma’s impressive 81 off 48 balls and her 122-run opening stand with Dayalan Hemalatha (47 off 42) set the tone for India’s batting. Although the run rate slowed after the openers fell, India posted a strong total of 178. This proved too much for Nepal as Deepti Sharma (3-13) and Radha Yadav (2-12) shone with the ball.

Even without regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar, India had enough strength to comfortably outplay Nepal. The gap in experience and skill was clear, as India faced little challenge. Despite their limited resources and inexperience, Nepal fought hard, especially with the ball, to keep India from a bigger total after the strong opening stand. However, these small victories were all Nepal could achieve as India cruised to victory.

India’s batting phases

Powerplay: Strong start with new opening pair

Stand in captain Smriti Mandhana gave others a chance to bat, resulting in a new opening pair. Dayalan Hemalatha and Shafali Verma started, with Shafali quickly hitting boundaries to set the pace. Hemalatha struggled with timing, but India still had a solid start.

Middle overs: Shafali accelerates

Nepal hoped for relief after the powerplay, but Shafali kept hitting boundaries, including a big hit off Rubina Chhetry. Hemalatha also hit a six but couldn’t find rhythm. She was caught in the 12th over, but Shafali continued India’s strong progress.

Death overs: Nepal slows down India

Nepal did well to limit India to a run rate of just over 9 in the final overs. Shafali fell in the 16th over, slowing the pace. Jemimah Rodrigues’ 15-ball 28 pushed the total past 175, but Nepal managed to prevent a bigger score.

Nepal’s batting phases

Powerplay: India’s seamers strike early

Opener Samjhana Khadka started strong but was bowled by Arundhati Reddy in the second over. Kabita Kunwar also fell quickly. Nepal captain Indu Barma and Sita Rana Magar hit a few boundaries, but the overall scoring was too slow.

Middle overs: Nepal struggles against India’s bowlers

Nepal’s chase stalled after a weak powerplay. Arundhati Reddy and Deepti Sharma took crucial wickets, and the scoring rate dropped. Only three boundaries came in the middle overs, with Deepti and Radha Yadav controlling the game. Rubina Chhetry hit a six but soon fell to Deepti.

Death overs: India wraps up the game

The match was decided early, with Nepal only trying to bat out their overs. Bindu Rawal’s unbeaten 19-ball 17 helped Nepal avoid a complete collapse. Deepti and Radha each took a wicket, but Nepal’s last-wicket pair survived the full 20 overs.

Player of the Match (Shafali Verma)

“I just tried to back my strenghth, and it worked. The consistency is coming, but I want to finish better. To score 200 [like she did against South Africa recently] is a big thing for a batter, and I got a lot of confidence from it. I hope I continue to do well for the team.”

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Radha Yadav have advanced in the ICC Women’s rankings just before the crucial Asia Cup, which starts on July 19 in Sri Lanka.

Radha Yadav jumped 8 places to reach No.15 in the ICC rankings for T20I bowlers. The left-arm spinner made this leap after an amazing series against South Africa, where she took 6 wickets in 3 matches with an economy rate of 7.70. Her best performance was in the third and final T20I on July 9 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where she had figures of 3-1-6-3.

Deepti Sharma: India’s top T20I bowler

Deepti Sharma is still India’s top-ranked T20I bowler, ranking just below England’s Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn. In the T20I batting rankings, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur moved up 3 places to No.12. Harmanpreet had only one chance to bat in the T20I series against South Africa, where she scored 35 runs off 29 balls.

Smriti Mandhana is India’s top ranked T20I batter, sitting at fifth place behind Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Hayley Matthews, and Laura Wolvaardt. Mandhana was the second highest run scorer in the T20I series with 100 runs from 3 matches at an average of 100. She also scored a match winning 54 in the last match of the series.

Sarah Glenn’s spectacular performance for England

Sarah Glenn has reached a career high rating, intensifying the competition at the top of the ICC Women’s T20I Bowler Rankings. Glenn’s stellar performance in England’s ongoing T20I series against New Zealand has been remarkable.

Through 4 matches, she has taken 8 wickets. This impressive feat has solidified her position as the No.2 ranked T20I bowler globally and allowed her to achieve a new career-best rating of 768 points.