1st T20I: Renuka Singh bowls India to a convincing 45-run win over Bangladesh women
Pacers Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar split five wickets as India used disciplined bowling to defeat Bangladesh by 44 runs in the first women’s T20I on Sunday.
Despite a solid middle-order partnership between skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia, India’s total was restricted to 145 for seven due to a lack of late acceleration. The hosts may have been optimistic about their chances of chasing down the target, but Indian bowlers led by Renuka delivered the goods, limiting Bangladesh to 101 for 8.
Skipper Nigar Sultana fought a lone battle, scoring 51 off 48, but received no help from the opposition. Renuka led India’s bowling unit, trapping Dilara Akter (4) in her third ball and cleaning up Sobhana Mostary (6) in the fifth over. Deepti Sharma, an experienced spinner, then removed Murshida Khatun (13) LBW, while Vastrakar slammed Fahima Khatun (1) on the pads in the seventh over, leaving the hosts on 30 for 4. Radha Yadav tossed one up to mislead Shorna Akter (11), and Renuka returned to eliminate Rabeya Khan (2). Shreyanka Patil also joined the party, returning Nahida Akter (9), before Sultana succumbed to Vastrakar in the last over.
India’s innings witnessed a mix of starts and partnerships. Smriti Mandhana’s brief cameo was followed by Shafali Verma’s aggressive 31 off 22 balls. Yastika Bhatia and Harmanpreet Kaur’s partnership added stability, but the late flourish was missing. Nonetheless, they managed to overcome the sluggish wicket conditions to post a competitive total.
In reply, Bangladesh’s chase faltered against India’s disciplined bowling. Despite Rabeya Khan’s three-wicket haul, India’s bowlers maintained control throughout the innings. Mandhana’s early aggression set the tone for India, but her dismissal halted the momentum briefly. Shafali Verma’s aggressive approach and partnerships with Yastika Bhatia and Harmanpreet Kaur kept the scoreboard ticking. However, Bangladesh fought back with quick wickets, but India’s total proved to be beyond their reach. Harmanpreet’s decision to bat first proved crucial in setting the tone for the series, serving as a preparatory phase for the upcoming T20I World Cup in Bangladesh.