Mumbai: Unseasonal downpours disrupted what seemed like a certain Indian victory in the final group stage match of the Women’s World Cup against Bangladesh on Sunday. The weather gods showed no mercy as persistent rain forced officials to abandon the contest, leaving India stranded at 57 without loss in just nine overs while chasing a modest revised target of 126.
The day belonged more to meteorologists than cricketers. After a two-hour delay reduced the contest to 43 overs per side, another lengthy interruption during Bangladesh’s innings further shortened it to 27 overs. The biggest concern for India, however, wasn’t the washout but opener Pratika Rawal’s injury sustained while fielding. With Thursday’s semifinal against Australia looming, the medical team is closely monitoring her knee and ankle injury.
Bangladesh’s batting collapse told the story of India’s dominance before rain intervened. Restricted to just 119 for nine in their allotted 27 overs, the visitors found India’s spin duo absolutely unplayable. Radha Yadav, making her tournament debut, claimed three wickets for 30 runs, while Shree Charani chipped in with two for 23.
Renuka Singh set the tone early with an inswinging yorker that had Bangladesh rattled from ball one. Sumaiya Akter fell in that opening over, caught at short third. The middle order offered little resistance as Deepti Sharma and the spinners tightened their grip.
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After the rain break, Sobhana Mostary provided brief entertainment with a quickfire 26 off 21 deliveries, but her dismissal triggered another collapse. Bangladesh slumped from 91 for three to 117 for nine, with wickets tumbling regularly. Sharmin Akhter top-scored with 36 but ran out of partners. Her dismissal came when substitute fielder Arundhati Reddy produced a spectacular diving catch at deep midwicket.
India’s chase began confidently despite Rawal’s absence. Amanjot Kaur, replacing the injured opener, announced herself with a beautifully-timed pull shot off Marufa Akter. Smriti Mandhana looked in sublime touch, dancing down the track to dispatch Nishita Akter for multiple boundaries. Both batters survived dropped catches by captain Nigar Sultana, but ultimately, it didn’t matter.
The final rain shower arrived after just nine overs, and with no prospect of completing the minimum 20 overs required, captains shook hands at 10:20 PM. The solitary point earned helped Bangladesh leapfrog Pakistan into seventh place on net run-rate, though that will provide little consolation.
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