In an impressive display of batting and bowling, India secured a convincing 78-run victory over UAE in their second match of the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup. The match, held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, saw standout performances from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh.
The game began with India facing early challenges. Despite a promising start, they lost three wickets during the power-play, putting them in a precarious position. However, Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh turned the game around with a crucial partnership. They added 75 runs in just 45 balls for the fifth wicket, stabilising the innings and setting a solid foundation for India’s innings.
Harmanpreet Kaur, known for her aggressive batting, played a pivotal role. She scored 66 runs off 47 balls, hitting seven fours and a six. Her innings was crucial in guiding India to a formidable total. This score was significant not only for the match but also historically.
India’s total of 201/5 was the highest ever scored in the history of Women’s Asia Cup T20 matches, surpassing the previous record of 181/4 set by India against Malaysia in 2022.
Richa Ghosh then stepped up to provide the finishing touches. Her innings of 64 not out off 29 balls was explosive, featuring 12 fours and a six. Richa’s contribution in the final overs, where India added a blistering 37 runs, ensured they reached a daunting total of 201.
In response, UAE faced a challenging task. The chase was always going to be difficult, and UAE struggled to keep up with the required run rate. They finished at 123/7, well short of the target. Indian bowlers were in top form, with each of them claiming at least one wicket.
UAE's start was slow, and they struggled to rotate the strike effectively. Renuka Singh Thakur made an early impact by dismissing Theertha Satish, who failed to find the gaps and was caught at mid-on. Pooja Vastrakar also contributed by removing Rinitha Rajith, who was bowled out after missing a straight delivery.
Deepti Sharma joined the attack and claimed the wicket of Samaira Dharnidharka, who was caught at mid-wicket. Despite some resistance from UAE captain Esha Oza, who played a few solid shots including a six off Deepti Sharma and consecutive boundaries off Radha Yadav, the pressure mounted. Esha’s innings ended in the 13th over when debutant Tanuja Kanwer managed to induce a drive that led to a stumping by Richa Ghosh, marking Tanuja’s first international wicket.
As the innings progressed, the result seemed inevitable. Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma added to their tally, taking a wicket each, and a run-out brought UAE’s innings to a close. India’s comprehensive victory was built on solid performances in both batting and bowling, demonstrating their strength in the tournament.
In summary, India’s dominant performance against UAE was marked by a record-setting total and a disciplined bowling display. Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh were the stars of the match, leading India to a comfortable win and showcasing their skills in the Women’s Asia Cup.
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