The Harmanpreet Kaur-led India women’s team registered a 3-0 series win over Bangladesh women in Indore. Having already outplayed the visiting side in the last two games, the hosts clocked a 10-run win in the third match at the Reliance Stadium. Debutants Smriti Mandhana and Poonam Yadav starred with the bat and ball respectively in India’s triumph in the last Twenty20 international.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Mona Meshram and Mandhana gave the team a good start with a 53-run opening stand. But after both the openers were sent back to the pavilion, with India on 84 for two, the rest of the line-up failed to capitalise on the top order’s efforts. Meshram was the first to be sent back for 22, while Mandhana returned for 39. Coming to the crease at No.3, the Indian captain made 20; but the rest of the line-up succumbed to the Bangladesh bowling and finished on 123 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. Salma Khatun and Panna Gosh claimed two wickets each as the tourists ran through the Indian batting order.
While defending the total, the Indian bowlers restricted the touring side to 113 for seven. Poonam Yadav, playing her first international game, performed impressively to help win the game. She finished with three scalps in her bag, while Ekta Bisht took two and N Niranjana claimed one to help pull off a win.
Brief scores: India women 123/9 in 20 overs (S Mandhana 39, M Meshram 22) beat Bangladesh women 113/7 in 20 overs (L Mondal 32, P Yadav 3/21, E Bisht 2/28) by 10 runs
