India all but guaranteed themselves a semi-final spot in the Women’s Asia Cup with a convincing win by 77 runs over UAE. This match saw India’s middle order get a much-needed hit out, and their bowlers were given plenty of mileage. Harmanpreet Kaur led the charge with a top score of 66, but it was Richa Ghosh‘s sensational late acceleration that stole the show. Ghosh’s unbeaten 29-ball 64 helped India post their first-ever score of 200-plus in T20Is, setting a formidable target for UAE.
Middle-order resurgence by Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur
India were put in to bat and faced early setbacks with their marauding openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, among others, dismissed early. At 52 for 3 inside the powerplay, the opportunity was UAE’s to seize. D Hemalatha, who has struggled to make the No. 3 spot her own, was dismissed for 2, leaving India wobbling. Her continued lean run could prompt the team management to consider reinstating Jemimah Rodrigues at No. 3. Rodrigues made 14 in a 54-run stand with Harmanpreet before being dismissed in her first attempt to hit over the top.
Harmanpreet, on the other hand, was content to knock singles and twos early on but upped the tempo soon after the halfway mark. She brought out a range of sweeps that found different arcs on the leg-side boundary, demonstrating her ability to hit effectively against the turn. Meanwhile, Richa Ghosh made heads turn with her aesthetically pleasing cover drives and lofted hits, showing that her game isn’t just about power. She was particularly severe on Esha Oza‘s gentle long hops, hitting four boundaries in one over. Ghosh’s aggressive batting, coupled with Harmanpreet’s well-paced innings, helped India to a massive total.
Also READ: Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Date, Match Time, Venue, Broadcast and Live Streaming Details
UAE’s Struggles and Bright Spots
UAE hardly posed a challenge during the chase. Despite a decent start by Oza and Kavisha Egodage, who scored 36 and 40 not out respectively, UAE’s chase fizzled out in the powerplay. Theertha Satish took nine balls to get off the mark and was the first to fall in the fifth over. Pooja Vastrakar claimed her first wicket shortly after, and Oza, despite holding firm, became debutant Tanuja Kanwar‘s first international wicket. Kanwar, who impressed in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for Gujarat Giants, finished with figures of 4-0-14-1, capping off a dream debut.UAE’s total of more than 115/8 was an improvement over their previous performances and should be a confidence booster. Despite the loss, UAE isn’t mathematically out of the semi-finals race.
Here’s how Fans reacted:
2️⃣/2️⃣ wins, NRR 📈 – it’s a good day to be a #TeamIndia fan 💙#AaliRe #INDvUAE #WomensAsiaCup2024 pic.twitter.com/Rpeyi51A0L
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) July 21, 2024
India secured a 78-run victory over the UAE in their second match, showcasing another impressive performance.#INDvUAE pic.twitter.com/EiV9utYTTs
— Dilip Sharma (@dilipsh67605591) July 21, 2024
For her blistering counter-attacking knock of 64* off 29 balls, @13richaghosh is named the Player of the Match 👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/fnyeHav1sS#WomensAsiaCup2024 | #ACC | #INDvUAE pic.twitter.com/YAOm2a9gDA
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) July 21, 2024
Clinical performance by India Womens team against UAE Womens! 🇮🇳👏
India secured a convincing 78-run victory UAE in Women’s Asia Cup 2024. 👌
2 wins 2 matches now for Harmanpreet Kaur and her team 🔥#HarmanpreetKaur #INDvUAE #INDWvUAE #AsiaCup #AsiaCup2024 #WomensAsiaCup2024 pic.twitter.com/aGNeMlavBp
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) July 21, 2024
India continue their dominance in the Women’s Asia Cup
Got their highest total ever & then restricted UAE to 123/7 in 20 overs
Massive 78 run wins & they are all but through to the semis now#AsiaCup2024 #WomensAsiaCup2024 #WomensAsiaCup #INDvUAE
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) July 21, 2024
Another comprehensive win for the Women in Blue #cricket #INDvUAE #AsiaCup #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/4prxnaLQR3
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) July 21, 2024
Don’t want to compare her with others in the sport but Richa Ghosh really has all the makings of being someone many will adore, admire and look up to by the time she is done with cricket.
Destined for greatness. pic.twitter.com/99BfGpW5du
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 21, 2024
2019, Tanuja Kanwer helped India Emerging side defeat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in Emerging Asia Cup final.
2024, Tanuja Kanwer makes her debut for India in Sri Lanka in #AsiaCup.
— Krithika (@krithika0808) July 21, 2024
Great recovery to post 201. Well played Richa and Harman 👏🏼
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) July 21, 2024
WAAAH! Richa Ghosh finishes the innings with five consecutive fours. That was some innings man!
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) July 21, 2024
4️⃣, 4️⃣, 4️⃣, 4️⃣, 4️⃣
Richa never fails to give her side a perfect finish 🫶 (We’re speaking out of Experience 🤩)#PlayBold #TeamIndia #INDvUAE pic.twitter.com/0gferZMp39
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) July 21, 2024
Total domination of India against UAE#INDvUAE pic.twitter.com/y2krNQ2UJE
— Ganpat Teli (@gateposts_) July 21, 2024
Also READ: Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Here are the complete squads of all 8 teams
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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