In a standout performance, Shafali Verma's impressive 81, complemented by Jemimah Rodrigues' swift 28 off 15 balls, propelled India to a commanding victory over Nepal, securing a spot in the semi-finals.
India scored 178 for 3, with Shafali and D Hemalatha contributing significantly at the top of the order. Hemalatha added 47 runs, while Nepal's Magar took 2-25.
In response, Nepal struggled against India's disciplined bowling attack, managing only 96 for 9. Deepti Sharma was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-13, supported by Radha Yadav's 2-12 and Pooja Vastrakar's 2-28.
Shafali's Explosive Performance Powers India to Semi-Finals
This victory marks India's third consecutive win in Group A of the Women's Asia Cup 2024, securing their position at the top. Pakistan also advanced to the knockouts after defeating UAE earlier in the day, finishing with two wins out of three matches.
Opting to bat first, India, led by Smriti Mandhana, set a formidable total, largely due to Shafali's explosive innings and a strong opening partnership with Hemalatha. Nepal, unused to playing under lights and facing a potent Indian bowling attack, could not rise to the challenge and fell short, finishing at 96 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Shafali Shines, Hemalatha Struggles
With a semi-final berth nearly secured, India decided to rest their regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur and all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar, giving opportunities to S Sajana and Arundhati Reddy. A tactical shift saw Hemalatha promoted to open alongside Shafali Verma. The duo initially took their time to get a feel for the pitch, missing out on several loose deliveries. However, Shafali soon found her rhythm and began to dominate, a sharp contrast to her partner's performance.
Hemalatha, after scoring an unbeaten 41 against Bangladesh in April, had only surpassed 30 once in her next eight innings across ODIs and T20Is before this match. This game against an Associate team on a slow pitch presented a perfect opportunity for her to solidify her place in the XI. Despite managing a few powerful shots due to her strong bottom hand, Hemalatha struggled to maintain consistency, ending with a 42-ball 47.
In contrast, Shafali took full advantage of Nepal's inconsistent bowling. She displayed a variety of strokes, including flicks, straight drives, and slog sweeps, showing aggressive intent throughout. India reached 50 for 0 at the end of the powerplay, with Shafali achieving her tenth T20I fifty in the eighth over, off just 26 balls. By the halfway mark, India stood at 91 for 0, on track for another 200-plus total.
India Concludes Strongly Despite a Brief Slowdown
Nepal's seasoned left-arm spinner Sita Rana Magar halted India's momentum by dismissing Hemalatha and Shafali in the 14th and 16th overs, respectively. Shafali concluded her impressive innings with 12 fours and a six. At the same time, their 122-run opening partnership marked the highest opening stand in Women's T20 Asia Cup history and the second-highest for any wicket.
Sita Rana Magar emerged as Nepal's standout bowler. India’s run rate dipped with the arrival of new batters, but Jemimah Rodrigues' smart play, which included five fours in her unbeaten 15-ball 28, pushed India close to the 180 mark. Sajana, like Hemalatha, found it challenging during her 12-ball stint. Whether India continues with Hemalatha or gives Sajana more opportunities at No. 3 will be an interesting development to watch as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in October.
Reddy Seizes Her Chance
Titas Sadhu's injury created an opening for Arundhati Reddy to rejoin the Indian squad, following her strong showings in domestic cricket and the WPL. Since her return against South Africa last month, Reddy has consistently risen to the occasion. Her latest performance against Nepal was no exception, as she claimed 2 for 28 in her four overs. Over the past 12 to 15 months, Reddy has honed her ability to swing the ball both ways and added various deliveries to her arsenal. This paid off when she struck in her fourth delivery, bowling out opener Samjhana Khadka. Despite conceding 11 runs in her second over, Reddy rebounded by dismissing Magar for 18 off 22 balls with a delivery that cut back to hit the middle stump.
Nepal's chase faltered from the start and they never managed to recover.
Conclusion
India's commanding performance against Nepal, led by Shafali Verma's explosive batting and disciplined bowling from Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy, secures their place in the Women's Asia Cup 2024 semi-finals. Despite a brief slowdown, India's formidable total of 178 and Nepal's struggle to reach 96 underscored India's dominance. As India looks ahead to the T20 World Cup, key players like Hemalatha and Reddy will be crucial. With three consecutive wins, India's top position in Group A highlights their readiness for the challenges ahead.
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