Mumbai-born India left-arm spinner Radha Yadav (3-30), playing her first game in this World Cup, made the most of the opportunity to help Harmanpreet Kaur & Co restrict Bangladesh to 119-9 in a rain-affected 27-overs-a-side Women’s World Cup match at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.
While chasing the revised target of 126 as per the DLS method, at the time of going to press, India were 57-0 in 8.4 overs, before rain halted play again to force a washout.
Yadav, who replaced off-spinner Sneha Rana for this game, was introduced into the attack in the 14th over as a fifth bowling option and dismissed three Bangladesh batters, including the attacking Sobhana Mostary (21-ball 26). Except for No. 3 Sharmin Akhter, who batted patiently, scoring 53-ball 36 with the help of four fours, no other Bangladesh player made a substantial contribution. Earlier, after losing eight tosses, India captain Kaur finally succeeded in winning the toss and decided to bowl first. Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur (1-23), who is known for giving early breakthroughs, didn’t disappoint her teammates, dismissing Bangladesh opening batter Sumaiya Akter (2) caught by point fielder Shree Charani in the very first over. Thakur almost had her second victim on the last ball of the 9th over, but Charani dropped Sharmin at short third, when Bangladesh were 34-1.
Left-arm spinner Charani claimed 2-23. Surprisingly, pacer Kranti Gaud and off-spinner Rana were rested for this game. Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who injured her finger during their game against New Zealand last Thursday, was also rested as was replaced by Uma Chetry.