In a pivotal semifinal encounter, Bangladesh Women opted to bat first after winning the toss, but the decision backfired as they lost three wickets within the powerplay. Renuka Singh Thakur delivered a masterclass with the ball, finishing with remarkable figures of 3/10 in her four overs. Captain Nigar Sultana tried to steady the innings with a patient 32 off 51 balls, but wickets kept falling around her.

Shorna Akter’s unbeaten 19 off 18 balls provided some late resistance, but Bangladesh could only post 80/8 in their 20 overs. Alongside Renuka’s brilliance, Radha Yadav also shone with three wickets, while Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma each took one. In reply, Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana swiftly chased down the target, racing to 70 after just 10 overs and effectively ending the contest early. Bangladesh’s fielding woes, including dropped catches and a costly no-ball that gave Smriti Mandhana a second chance, proved detrimental.

Smriti Mandhana seized the opportunity, scoring a quick half-century and finishing the game with a boundary. India’s commanding performance with both bat and ball secured their place in the final, highlighting their dominance throughout the match.

See Also: Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Pre-match Analysis: How can Pakistan Women neutralize Chamari Athapaththu’s Threat?

Renuka Singh Thakur’s Stellar Spell: 3/10 in Four Overs

In the crucial semifinal clash between India Women and Bangladesh Women, Renuka Singh Thakur delivered a spell of bowling brilliance that left the opposition reeling. Her disciplined and incisive bowling played a pivotal role in dismantling the Bangladesh batting lineup, starting with her first wicket. Renuka’s initial breakthrough came with a pitched-up delivery outside off in the good length area. With a hint of swing, Akter swung her bat, only to find the lone fielder on the leg side at deep square leg, falling victim to Renuka’s precise line and length.

Renuka’s second wicket was a mirror image of her first, further demonstrating her ability to exploit the conditions and outthink the batters. She bowled a length ball around off in the good length area, with a subtle swing into the stumps. Tanjim, aiming to go over cover, mistimed her shot and ended up offering a simple catch. The resemblance to the previous dismissal highlighted Renuka’s strategic prowess, as she continued to apply relentless pressure on the Bangladesh batters.

The third wicket for Renuka was a testament to her versatility and tactical acumen. She bowled a length ball around middle and leg in the back-of-length area, targeting Khatun. Desperate to break free from the shackles, Khatun attempted an aggressive shot but only managed to mistime it, resulting in another straightforward catch. Renuka’s ability to mix her lengths and maintain a tight line ensured that the Bangladesh batters never settled at the crease.

By the end of her spell, Renuka Singh Thakur had remarkable figures of 3/10 in four overs, including a maiden over, with an impressive economy rate of 2.5. Her disciplined bowling allowed only one boundary, underscoring her dominance and control over the game. Renuka’s performance not only stifled the Bangladesh batting lineup but also set the tone for India’s commanding position in the match.

Renuka’s exceptional spell was a masterclass in seam bowling, blending accuracy, swing, and tactical intelligence. Her ability to extract movement from the pitch and consistently hit the right areas made her a nightmare for the Bangladesh batters. As she walked off the field, her team celebrated a bowling performance that will be remembered as one of the highlights of the Asia Cup 2024 Women’s tournament. This spell not only propelled India to a dominant position but also showcased Renuka Singh Thakur’s growing stature as a key player in the Indian bowling attack.

See Also: Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Pre-match Analysis: Can the Bangladesh Women Outplay the Formidable Indian Side?

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.”