After recording an emphatic win over arch-rivals Pakistan, the steamroller of Team India continued to march on as they crumbled a hapless U.A.E side. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side clinched a superb 78-run win in Dambulla. While it was a complete team performance, one player that truly stood out was Richa Ghosh. The 19-year-old superstar was simply remarkable to watch as she deservedly claimed the Player of the Match. The gulf in both the teams were on display.
After being put to bat first, Indian fans hoped for the duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana to put up another stellar partnership. It started in great fashion only, with them adding 23 runs in the first two overs. However, Mandhana lost her wicket at 13. Regardless, the enigma of Shafali continued as she hammered five boundaries (include 1 six) in her next nine balls. At the stroke of fifth over, a wicket fell against the run of play as the Indian opener was caught behind. U.A.E saw this window of opportunity and sent back Dayalan Hemalatha on the very next ball. India lost three wickets in a jiffy.
Rescue act by Harmanpreet & Jemimah
Just when things were starting to look shaky, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues stepped in to steady the ship. They played some sensible cricket, milking the spinners and punishing anything loose, building a crucial 50-run partnership. They added 54 runs 39 balls.
The ‘Richa Ghosh’ show!
Just as Jemimah looked to accelerate, she departed. But hang on, for Richa Ghosh had other plans! This young wicketkeeper-batter came in like a whirlwind, completely changing the momentum of the innings. She launched into the bowling attack, particularly targeting the off-side with some incredible strokeplay.
Partnering with the experienced Harmanpreet, Richa used the conditions to her advantage. Harmanpreet herself brought up a well-deserved fifty and started to open up in the death overs. She made 66 off 47, also becoming the first-ever women’s player to rack up 3000+ T20I runs while batting at number four or below. Unfortunately, she fell victim to a run-out in the final over.
However, Ghosh wasn’t done yet! With nerves of steel, she faced the last five balls of the innings and did the remarkable – she smashed them ALL for boundaries! 20 runs off the last five balls meant that India go past the 200-run mark for the maiden time in WT20Is.
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A complete bowling display by India!
Chasing a record-breaking target of 202 set by India, UAE never found their footing in the contest. Their chase began with a whimper, losing two crucial wickets within the powerplay. The scoreboard read a meager 18 runs with two wickets down, thanks to some sharp bowling, particularly by the wily Deepti Sharma who picked up two wickets.
A glimmer of hope emerged for UAE with a 40-run partnership between skipper Esha Oza and Kavisha Edogade. However, Oza’s dismissal to debutant Kanwar snuffed out any chance of a comeback. The remaining batters offered little resistance as wickets fell at regular intervals.
The Indian bowling attack was a well-oiled machine, with every bowler used getting a wicket. This clinical bowling performance ensured UAE were restricted out for a paltry score of 123/7 in 20 overs.
This emphatic victory solidifies India’s position at the top of the Women’s Asia Cup table. While UAE fell short today, their fightback in the middle overs shows their continuous improvement, and they will gain valuable experience from playing against a top-ranked team like India women’s.
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