Women’s T20 WC: Asha, Arundhati Pick Three-Fers As India Thrash Sri Lanka By 82 Runs

The victory was set up by half-centuries from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, which took India to 172/3, the highest total of this Women’s T20 World Cup. In reply, Asha and Arundhati bagged 3-19 each as Sri Lanka, who lost their top three in the Power-play, were bowled out for 90 in 19.5 overs, as India got their highest-ever victory margin in Women’s T20 World Cups.

The big win also ensures India’s net run rate has shot up to 0.58 and they jumped to second place in Group A, ahead of Pakistan and New Zealand. India got their breakthrough in the opening over when Vishmi Gunaratne miscued a loft off Renuka Singh Thakur and substitute fielder Radha Yadav ran diagonally to her right and made a dive to her left to complete a stunning catch.

Shreyanka Patil landed a body blow to Sri Lanka when Chamari Athapaththu pushed at a tossed-up delivery and edged to Deepti Sharma at slip. Renuka struck again when she enticed Harshitha Samarawickrama to go for a big drive and nicked behind.

Anushka Sanjeewani and Kavisha Dilhari briefly rebuilt Sri Lanka’s innings with a 37-run stand for the fourth wicket, before the former was stumped off Asha. From there, the result was a foregone conclusion as Asha and Arundhati Reddy went on to complete their respective three-fers, while good catching ensured the match came to an end in India’s favour.

Brief scores:

India 172/3 in 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 52 not out, Smriti Mandhana 50; Ama Kanchana 1-29, Chamari Athapaththu 1-34) beat Sri Lanka 90 all out in 19.5 overs (Kavisha Dilhari 21; Asha Sobhana 3-19, Arundhati Reddy 3-19) by 82 runs

--IANS

After Nitish Kumar Reddy (74) and Rinku Singh (53) came up with brilliant knocks in rear-guard action to help the hosts recover from 41/3 to post a challenging 221/9 after being asked to bat first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Wednesday.

Reddy excelled with the ball too, claiming 2-23 while leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy bagged 2-19 in his four overs. Washington Sundar, Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag claimed a wicket apiece as the Indian bowlers derailed Bangladesh's chase after the visitors had shown good intent by scoring 14 runs off the first over.

Arshdeep Singh came back strongly to make the breakthrough for India by dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon for 16 and when Chakravarthy castled Litton Das (14) with a superb delivery, Bangladesh were down to 40/2 in the fifth over.

The Indian spinners continued to trouble the batters as Washington Sundar had Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (11) in his first over, catching the bottom part of the bat as the batter made room for a lofted drive. Howhid Hridoy was cleaned up by left-arm spinner Abhishek Sharma for seven to make it 48/4.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mahmudullah, playing his last two T20Is, added 34 runs for the fifth wicket but they could not stitch together a big partnership and from 80/4, Bangladesh soon slumped to 93/7 in the 14th over.

Mahmudullah struck a few lusty blows as he top-scored with 41 off 39 balls but that was too late and too little.

Bangladesh, who suffered a big defeat in the first T20I in Gwalior, did not improve much and were outplayed once again, their batters failing to tackle the disciplined bowling.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav sedc seven bowlers and all of them were among wickets, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Varun Chakravarthy claiming two apiece. The Indian skipper kept rotating his bowlers, giving them short spells that kept allowing the Bangladesh on their toes. The bowlers too did a good job bowling to the plan,

The Indians fielded well too with Hardik Pandya picking up three catches including a stunner at the boundary.

Brief scores:

India 221/9 in 20 overs (Nithsh Kumar Reddy 74, Rinku Singh 53, Hardik Pandya 32; Taskin Ahmed 2-16, Rishad Hossain 3-55, Mustafizur Rahman 2-36) beat Bangladesh 135/9 in 20 overs (Mahmudullah 41, Nitish Kumar Reddy 2-23, Varun Chakravarthy 2-19, Abhishek Sharma 1-10) by 86 runs.

--IANS

The incident took place in Mahisapat area beside National Highway 55 when workers were constructing the roof of the portico when the structure collapsed.

It is suspected that two or three workers might be trapped under the debris and a rescue operation is underway.

Sub-collector Bibudha Garanaik said a detailed inquiry will be conducted and strong action will be taken against those found guilty.

Fire service personnel have been asked to put up high-mast lights to continue the rescue operation till the debris was cleared.

Further details are awaited.

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