India Women Triumph in First T20I Against Bangladesh
In a gripping display of T20 cricket, the Indian Women’s team kicked off their tour of Bangladesh with a dominant 44-run victory in the first T20 International held at the picturesque Sylhet stadium. The Indian squad, led by their pacers, showcased a clinical performance, overcoming a mid-innings hiccup to set a challenging target for the hosts.
Commanding Bowling Overshadows Batting Flaws
The star of the match was undoubtedly Renuka Singh, whose exceptional bowling figures of 3 for 18 helped dismantle the Bangladesh batting lineup. Renuka’s precise line and length troubled the batters throughout her spells, culminating in a much-deserved Player of the Match award.
Despite setting a target that initially seemed underwhelming, the Indian bowlers, especially Singh and Pooja Vastrakar—who chipped in with two crucial wickets—proved too much for the Bangladeshi batters. Bangladesh, chasing a modest 146, were restricted to 101 for 8 in their 20 overs. The chase was marred by an inability to build partnerships, with only captain Nigar Sultana showing some resistance with a well-fought 51.
Early Inroads Set the Tone
India’s bowlers were relentless from the start, making inroads into the top order during the powerplay. Renuka and Deepti Sharma quickly sent three of Bangladesh’s key batters back to the pavilion, setting back the hosts early in their chase. The pressure mounted, and despite Sultana’s efforts, the required run rate climbed beyond reach.
Yastika Bhatia Anchors the Innings
Earlier in the evening, India, after being put in to bat, had a promising start but stumbled in the middle overs. Yastika Bhatia, who top-scored with a fluid 36, anchored the innings. Her efforts, combined with Shafali Verma’s brisk 31, provided India with a platform. However, after reaching 100 for 2 in just over 12 overs, the innings faltered as India failed to capitalize on their start.
Rabeya Khan, the young leg-spinner from Bangladesh, was instrumental in stalling India’s progress, claiming three important wickets, including that of the dangerous Shafali Verma. Her spell brought Bangladesh back into the game, as India ended their innings at 145 for 7—a total that initially seemed below par.
Middle-Order Collapse and Late Recovery
Post the departure of Shafali and Yastika, the middle order couldn’t maintain the momentum. Harmanpreet Kaur and newcomer S Sajana tried to steer the innings towards a competitive total, but quick wickets towards the end meant India couldn’t finish strongly. Richa Ghosh showed some promise with a quickfire 17 but fell in the final over, which saw Marufa Akther taking two wickets in two balls, keeping the score under 150.
Fielding Efforts – A Mixed Bag
Bangladesh’s fielding was a mixed bag, with some excellent boundary saves contrasting sharply with three dropped catches, which could have further restricted India’s total. Their effort in the field reflected the team’s overall performance—flashes of brilliance overshadowed by lapses at crucial moments.
Looking Ahead
With this win, India has set a positive tone for the remainder of the five-match series. The team will look to build on their bowling strength and seek more consistency in the batting lineup. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to find quick answers to their batting woes and hope for better execution in the field to challenge the visitors in the upcoming matches.
As the teams prepare for the second T20I, the focus will be on adjustments and strategies. India would aim to seal the series early, while Bangladesh would be keen on making a strong comeback to level the series. The stage is set for an exciting continuation of this cricketing duel under the Sylhet lights.
