Aiming for a win in the series, India would expect a better showing from its best order when it takes on Bangladesh in the third and final women’s ODI on Saturday. After a disastrous start, with India’s women’s team crashing to its first-ever loss to Bangladesh, the visitors tied the series with an impressive 108-run victory on Wednesday. Coming Saturday, the Indian team would not only aim to secure the three-match series but also tackle the gray areas and continue to learn the nature of pitches as next year’s World Cup is scheduled to be held in Bangladesh.
In the series opener, India’s batting unit left much to be desired as the visitors bundled for 113. But in the second ODI, India put up an improved batting with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues making up half-centuries.
However, the shape of the top order remains a concern.
Star opener Smriti Mandhana’s battle from the T20 leg has continued in the 50-over format. She has managed to score only 47 points in the two ODIs, which is far below the standards set by the Indian vice-captain for herself.
Fellow opener, Priya Punia, who replaced the great Shafali Verma in the ODI series, has failed to impress in her comeback. The 26-year-old has scores of 10 and 7 while wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia would also like to give a better account of herself.
On the bright side, Jemimah was back between the points scoring his career best 86, while skipper Harmanpreet looked good too.
But now that she has injured her hand, it remains to be seen whether the skipper is completely fit.
Harmanpreet was forced off the field shortly after being hit on the left wrist at the non-striker’s end while completing a single during the second ODI.
She returned to bat, but her stay in the middle lasted for eight balls. She also failed to take the field at the start of Bangladesh’s innings.
The Indian bowlers, on the other hand, were right with leggie Devika Vaidya and part-time spinner Jemimah, who had a career-best 4/3, sharing seven wickets between them.
Bangladesh also hopes for a better effort of its batters. The hosts lost seven wickets in the space of 14 runs.
Fargana Hoque has been the best hitter in Bangladesh, with 74 runs in the two innings, while Nigar Sultana is second best with 42 total runs in the two games.
Squads: ===== India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harleen Deol, Devika Vaidya, Uma Chetry (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Priya Punia, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Anjali Sarvani, Monica Patel, Rashi Kanojiya, An U sha Bareddy, Sneh Rana.
Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana (c), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Fargana Hoque, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Lata Mondal, Disha Biswas, Marufa Akter, Sharmin Akhter, Sanjida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Salma Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Shamima Sultana.
The game kicks off at 9am IST. PTI APA AM APA AM AM
Topics mentioned in this article
