Harmanpreet Kaur, debutant Asha Sobhana star as India make it 4-0 against Bangladesh in five-match T20 series – India TV

Harmanpreet Kaur, debutant Asha Sobhana star as India make it 4-0 against Bangladesh in five-match T20 series

Image Source : BCCI WOMEN X Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh stitched a 28-ball 44 partnership which probably was the difference in the end for India in the 4th T20I The Indian women’s cricket team is on the brink of a historic clean sweep against Bangladesh having taken a 4-0 lead with a rather comfortable victory by 56 runs on DLS method in a rain-curtailed game on Monday, May 6 in Sylhet. The match was reduced to a 14-over-a-side contest and the Indian batters came out all guns blazing, showing the intent to get to a strong score. Yes, they did lose wickets at regular intervals but the fearlessness on the show was a good reminder that this line-up can bat like that when required. Shafali Verma got out cheaply but Smriti Mandhana and Dayalan Hemalatha played their part with impactful 22 each. Hemalatha in particular was aggressive and hit two fours and as many sixes in her short burst. Then came skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who too looked to take attack to the opposition. After both Mandhana and Hemalatha got out, Richa Ghosh joined forces with Harmanpreet to get a few more quick runs for the side. The duo stitched a 44-run stand off just 28 balls and the team score went beyond 100. Ghosh got out after scoring 24 but a few lusty blows from the skipper at the end and another late cameo from S Sajana pushed India’s score to 122. Bangladesh needed to bat out of their skins to chase down 125 in 14 overs and the spin chokehold from India began from the outset with Deepti Sharma getting the opener Murshida Khatun early. Deepti struck again immediately after the powerplay before the oldest debutant for Indian women’s team Asha Sobhana got into her work with a couple of wickets. There was a lot of praying and gratitude from Asha after she got her main scalp as it meant a lot for her after a sensational couple of seasons in the Women’s Premier League following years of toiling in domestic cricket. After which it was a formality as the Bangladesh batters struggled and kept hitting out eventually to be restricted to just 68 runs and the Women in Blue completed yet another solid win. Skipper Harmanoreet Kaur was adjudged the player of the match for her 26-ball 39, which laid the platform for India to get to 122.

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RCB star Asha Sobhana creates all-time record for India in T20Is – India TV

RCB star Asha Sobhana creates all-time record for India in T20Is – India TV

Image Source : BCCI Asha Sobhana Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Asha Sobhana finally got her chance to make a debut for India in the fourth T20I against Bangladesh. She had received a maiden call-up for the five-match T20I series but was benched in the first three matchs. With India sealing the series with a 3-0 lead, the visitors decided to test their bench strength and accordingly, handed a debut to leg-spinner Asha who was one of the most impressive bowlers in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) earlier this year. Interestingly, even before delivering her first ball at the international level, Asha created an all-time record for India as she became the oldest debutant in the shortest format. The leggie is 33 years and 51 days old as she was handed over her cap by Smriti Mandhana. Asha broke the long-standing record Seema Pujare in this aspect who had made her T20I debut in 2008 at the age of 32 years and 50 days. Overall, she ended up playing 8 ODIs and one T20I in her career. Coming back to Asha Sobhana, her maiden call-up to the Indian team followed after a brilliant show in WPL where she ended as the second highest wicket-taker of the season with 12 scalps to her name. Her role was crucial in RCB lifting the trophy for the first time in its 17-year history, including the IPL. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Women also handed a debut to 14-year-old medium pacer in Habiba Islam in the fourth T20I as they will be hoping that the youngster steps up in her first ever international match. This is also a landmark game for India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur who is playing her 300th international match. Playing XIs for 4th T20Is India Women – Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, D Hemalatha, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, S Sajana, Pooja Vastrakar, Asha Sobhana, Titas Sadhu, Radha Yadav Bangladesh Women – Nigar Sultana Joty (c & wk), Nahida Akter, Dilara Akter Dola, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Murshida Khatun, Rabeya, Marufa Akter, Mst Shorifa Khatun, Habiba Islam Pinky, Mst Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter

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