Focus On Improving Batting, India Aim 3-0 Whitewash Against Bangladesh

An upbeat Indian women's cricket team will look to wrap up the T20I series on a high note as the visitors will go up against a dejected Bangladesh side, trailing the three-match T20I series 0-2. 

Harmanpreet Kaur’s women will look to improve their batting show after their underwhelming outing while batting first in the second T20I. Lacking middle-order firepower, India registered a paltry score of 95-8 in the first innings. The Bangladesh Women fell like a pack of cards while chasing the meagre score as they were bowled out for 87.

India need opener Shafali Verma to come good as the right-hand batter holds a key in India’s chances in the ODI leg of the tour commencing from July 16. Despite her highest score of 14-ball 19 for her side in the second T20I, Verma is well aware of her low returns with the willow and will look to justify her reputation with a big score.    

India’s inability to play spin was exposed in the match as the likes of Harleen Deol, Yastika Bhatia and Jemimah Rodrigues stuttered in their innings. Rodrigues who thrives on pace couldn’t trouble the scorers much as she scored a 21-ball eight. Same story with Deol as she wasted 21 deliveries to score six runs, an effort which could have cost India the game.

It seems that the team is heavily dependent on skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in the batting department when it comes to power-hitting. Her deputy Smriti Mandhana along with all-rounder Deepti Sharma need to rise to the occasion with the bat.

The bowlers will be riding high on confidence before going into the next match as the spinners dominated the proceedings in the previous game, claiming 16 wickets from 35 overs in both innings. While Bangladesh used fast-bowler Marufa Akter's full quota of four overs, Puja Vastraka, the only pacer used by India bowled only one over, as the pitch was assisting the slower bowlers.

Defending 96, Deepti Sharma and Shafali struck with the ball to derail the hosts’ run-chase. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana played a 55-ball-38 and was the only Bangladeshi batter with a decent outing. Young Indian tweakers Minnu Mani and Anusha Bareddy have made use of the opportunities awarded to them in this series and are looking to extend their good run.

All in all, Bangladesh will look to restore some confidence with a consolation victory prior to the ODI leg of the tour to be played on July 16. India are clear favourites to steamroll the hosts and win the series 3-0. 

IND-W: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shefali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harleen Deol, Devika Vaidya, Uma Chhetri (wk), Amanjot Kaur, S Meghna, Pooja Vastrakar, Meghna Singh, Anjali Sarwani , Monika Patel, Rashi Kanojia, Anusha Bareddi, Minnu Mani.

BAN-W: Nigar Sultana (c/w), Shamima Sultana, Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Shanjida Akter, Salma Khatun, Marufa Akter, Dilara Akter, Disha Biswas, Sultana Khatun, Shathi Rani.

Match Begins July 13, 1:30 pm IST.