On Saturday, India defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet. Chasing a 66-run goal, India raced to 71 for two in 8.3 overs in a one-sided encounter. The Women in Blue dominated the match from the start when the Islanders chose to bat first in the top battle. The Indian bowling attack did not allow Sri Lanka’s hitters to relax, brutally limiting them to a total of 659 in 20 overs on the score board. Renuka Singh was India’s standout bowler, taking three wickets while conceding only five runs in three overs with the bowling figures of 3-1-5-3., including a maiden.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/16) and Sneh Rana (2/13) both grabbed two scalps. Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/16) and Sneh Rana (2/13) both grabbed two scalps. Harmanpreet Kaur applauded the efforts of the bowling unit and mentioned after the game: “We should credit our bowlers. Our fielding unit was good from ball one and we discussed that we should not give away easy runs. You have to read the wicket and accordingly place fielders in the right positions. We read the wicket well and positioned fielders accordingly. We were not looking at the scoreboard but only decided our five-over targets. We never bothered what the total was on the board and batted accordingly.”
Despite losing Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues in the fourth and fifth overs, respectively, Smriti Mandhana batted brilliantly and scored 51* runs off 25 balls, including six fours and three sixes. Harmanpreet Kaur, the most capped T20I player in Women’s cricket, stepped in with a solid 11-run contribution to help India take a commanding victory. Former India captain Virat Kohli and legendary Sachin Tendulkar congratulated the Indian women cricket team on their stunning triumph.
Tendulkar took to Twitter shortly after India’s victory and posted a celebration tweet that read, “We clinch the Asia Cup once again! Many congratulations to our women’s team for winning the Asia Cup for a record 7th time!” Kohli, who is currently in Australia for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, expressed his best wishes as well. “Congratulations @BCCIWomen Way to go,” he tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian cricket team on their Women’s Asia Cup victory on Saturday, saying their courage and skill had made the country proud. Honourable prime minister Modi posted a congratulatory tweet that read, “Our women cricket team makes us proud with their grit and dexterity! Congratulations to the team for winning the Women’s Asia Cup. They have shown outstanding skill and teamwork. Best wishes to the players for their upcoming endeavours.”
