Smriti Mandhana, Renuka Thakur Shine As India Beat Bangladesh, Enter Women’s Asia Cup Final

Pacer Renuka Singh provided the initial surge with a three-wicket haul, while Smriti Mandhana made a brisk fifty, as India crushed Bangladesh by 10 wickets to advance to their ninth Women’s Asia Cup final in Dambulla on Friday. The defending champions will face the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the title clash on Sunday. Shafali (26) and Mandhana (55) were in top form from the start, as India easily overhauled the target of 81 without breaking a sweat, finishing at 83 for no loss in 11 overs.

Mandhana and Shafali’s innings were filled with trademark shots around the ground as India raced to 46 for no loss in the Power Play. Shafali, dropped on 21 off Rabeya Khan, played powerful heaves across the line to find the fence. Mandhana, at the other end, unfurled exquisite drives on the off-side, including a cover drive against pacer Marufa Akter. Mandhana also showcased her power by pulling pacer Jahanara Alam for a six over deep square leg, leading India to a victory that was a foregone conclusion once Bangladesh were restricted to 80 for eight.

Renuka (3/10) and left-arm spinner Radha Yadav (3/14) delivered excellent spells, with Renuka’s four-over spell at the start inflicting deep wounds on Bangladesh. She dismissed Dilara Akter in the first over, Ishma Tanjim in her next over, and Murshida Khatun in her third over, leaving Bangladesh at 25 for three inside the Power Play. Skipper Nigar Sultana (32), the third-highest run-getter in the tournament, offered some resistance but couldn’t significantly challenge the Indian bowlers.

The Indian bowlers maintained a tight line, giving away just seven runs between overs seven and ten, while also taking the wicket of Rumana Ahmed. India’s fielding was vastly improved compared to previous games, with Shafali’s forward-diving catch to dismiss Rabeya off pacer Pooja Vastrakar standing out. A partnership of 36 runs between Sultana and Shorna Akter (19*) for the seventh wicket came too late to alter the match’s outcome.