Women’s T20 World Cup: 5 talking points from the India vs Bangladesh game

India produced yet another brilliant performance to win their second successive game in the women’s T20 World Cup.

Player-of-the-Match Shafali Verma’s 17-ball 39 and a late cameo from Veda Krishnamurthy (11-ball 20) helped India put up 142. Then, Poonam Yadav’s 3 for 18 and Shikha Pandey’s 2 for 14 ensured that Bangladesh stuttered at regular intervals, and eventually fell short of the target by 18 runs.

India are currently top of their group with two wins in two games. Here, we look at the top five talking points from the game.

1. Shafali Verma fires on all cylinders

Shafali has been in a good run of form in her last six international games

In the absence of opener Smriti Mandhana, who was out with a fever, Shafali Verma opened the batting with Taniya Bhatia. While Bhatia was dismissed in the very second over, Verma continued her recent good form in international cricket.

Also see – Women’s T20 World cup points table

Her 17-ball 39 was laced with two fours and four sixes, and her dismissal came about in an attempt to hit big off almost every ball she faced. Her brief staying during the crease, however, took India to their highest powerplay score in T20Is – 54-2.

2. Nigar Sultana’s fightback

India v Bangladesh - ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup

Bangladesh were struggling at 66 for four in the 12th over when Nigar Sultana walked in. With India firm favourites in the game at that moment, Sultana showed a lot of courage with her 26-ball 35 which came at a strike rate of almost 135.

Sultana batted intelligently, putting away any bad delivery she got. But after her wicket, the remaining six batters could score just 44 runs combined against an unstoppable Poonam Yadav.

3. Poonam Yadav strikes again

Poonam is India's highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals

It was Poonam Yadav's 4 for 19 that helped India carve out a 17-run victory against Australia in the World Cup opener. And this time, it was her 3 for 18 that ensured India defended their total of 142.

Yadav dismissed Sanjida Islam, Fahima Khatun and Jahanara Alam, and most of the batters had no answer to her googlies. Yadav is the highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is and was also the joint leading wicket-taker for India at the 2018 World T20, with eight dismissals in five matches.

It goes without saying that her form will be absolutely crucial to the team in the knockouts.

4. Shikha Pandey provides brilliant support to Poonam Yadav

Shikha Pandey has been sharing the wicket-taking workload with Poonam Yadav

Much like in the last game, Shikha Pandey once again served as a perfect second fiddle to Poonam Yadav, picking up the crucial wickets of Shamima Sultana and Rumana Ahmed, while bowling very economically at 3.50 runs per over.

Arundhati Reddy also chipped in with two wickets, while Rajashri Gayakwad picked one. It was a combined bowling effort from the eves.

5. Veda Krishnamurthy’s cameo

India v Bangladesh - After a middle-order collapse, Veda rescued India with her cameo

If not from a late brief onslaught from Veda Krishnamurthy, the Indian team could have found itself a few runs short of a good total. The lower middle order once again disappointed, with Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma and debutant Richa Ghosh scoring only 33 runs combined.

Veda walked in at number eight and scored a quickfire 11-ball 20 which was laced with four sixes. This is not the first time the leg-break bowler has batted well down the order; she is known for chipping in with runs as the last batter remaining.