India's women's cricket team secured their spot in the Asian Games final with a dominant victory over Bangladesh. Pacer Pooja Vastrakar was the star of the match, taking career-best figures of 4/17 in four overs to help bowl out Bangladesh for just 51 runs, their lowest-ever T20 score against India. Vastrakar's new-ball partner, Titas Sadhu, also impressed, taking 1/10 in four overs. Skipper Nigar Sultana was the only Bangladesh player to reach double figures with 12 runs.
India's chase of 52 runs was a comfortable one, achieved in just 8.2 overs. Kanika Ahuja and Jemimah Rodrigues guided the team home, with Rodrigues finishing unbeaten on 20. The victory was even sweeter for the Indian team as they were playing without their regular skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, who was serving a two-match suspension for her criticism of Bangladeshi umpiring in a previous series.
Vastrakar made an immediate impact, taking a wicket off the first delivery of the match. She continued to trouble the Bangladesh batters, taking three wickets in her first three overs. Titas also bowled with pace and bounce, adding to Bangladesh's woes. The spinners, Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Devika Vaidya, further tightened the noose, with half the battle won when they came into operation.
The Indian bowlers capitalised on the helpful conditions, with the ball gripping off the surface and offering a turn. The pressure resulted in a couple of run-outs, adding insult to injury for Bangladesh. Overall, it was a dominant performance by the Indian women's cricket team, making a strong statement in their quest for the Asian Games title.
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