Indian Women are Queens of Asia with a Dominant Display in Asia Cup!

If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman!” This quote by Margaret Thatcher clearly reflects the recent scenario in Indian cricket. While everyone expected the Indian men’s team to lift the Asia Cup, the dream was actually fulfilled by the Indian Women’s team. On Saturday, they thrashed Sri Lanka by 8 wickets to become the Asian queens for the seventh time. The victory comes barely a month after the men’s team flopped badly and even failed to reach the finals.

India missed winning just once - in 2018
In the 8 Asian Women Championships, India has missed winning just once - in 2018. In the final, Sri Lanka was annihilated as they posted only 65 runs losing 9 wickets - the worst batting performance playing first in the final. Renuka Singh, the Indian medium pacer struck early blows taking 3 wickets for just 5 runs – and Sri Lanka never recovered. Rajeshwari Gaikwad and Sneh Rana later took 2 wickets apiece to set up an easy chase. In reply, India’s dominant batters polished off the 66 runs to win in 69 balls, losing just 2 wickets. India’s Vice Captain Smriti Mandhana hit a half century in just 25 balls as she hit 3 sixes and the same number of fours in her effort. Shafali Verma and Jemima Rodrigues were the only wickets taken by Sri Lanka and the final, expected to be a close contest, ended far too quickly to the dismay of the 10000 plus crowd at the Sylhet Stadium in Bangladesh. The road to the final wasn’t without a stutter for the Indian Women’s team. They lost to their arch rivals Pakistan in a crucial match which was India’s first ever defeat in the Asia Cup against them and the first since 2016. Pakistan’s win was a surprise as it came on the back of a defeat against Thailand in the previous match. Opting to bat first, Pakistan made 137 losing 6 wickets, thanks to the 76-run-partnership between Nida Dar and Captain Bismah Maroof. In reply, Indian openers struggled against the spinners and were bowled out for just 124 . The loss though did not prevent India from entering the Semi Finals where they faced Thailand. In terms of rankings, India is much higher but the Thai team had a dream championship and were a significant threat. India was asked to bat first and Shafali Verma ensured that India reached a respectable total of 148 with help from Harmanpreet Kaur as well. Shafali hit a 28 ball 42 studded with 5 fours and a six. The middling total proved a tad too much for Thailand as they lost by 74 runs.

Pakistan suffered a shocking defeat
In stark contrast, Pakistan suffered a shock defeat in their semi-final with Sri Lanka. Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a disappointing total of 122 runs in 20 overs but Pakistan failed to pounce on the opportunity and kept losing wickets. Ultimately, it was heartbreak for Pakistan women as they lost by 1 run in the low-scoring but intense semi-final. The Championship win was a continuation of the great gains they have been making in recent months. In early August, at the Commonwealth Games 2022, they had scripted history by bagging a silver medal in their first-ever outing at the Commonwealth Games. Though they had settled for the silver medal in Birmingham, the team under captain Harmanpreet Kaur was showing clear signs of solid improvement. The rapid progress of the Indian women’s team became more obvious in September when they trounced England 3-0 in an ODI series. However, the close win in the last game was marred by the ‘Mankading’ row that erupted after Deepti Sharma got rid of England’s Charlotte Dean. Sharma had run out Dean at the non-striker’s end which sparked off a huge debate.

Deepti Sharma bags ‘Player of the Tournament’
Given this background, it was particularly satisfying that Deepti Sharma bagged the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award at the Asia Cup! Her all-round skills and her performances both with the bat and ball all through this season have been quite remarkable – and it was gratifying to note that the ‘Mankading’ row in England had not cast.

Indian women lifts Asia Cup trophy for 7th time
As the entire country celebrates Indian women lifting the Asia Cup trophy for the seventh time, all eyes are now focussed on how well the men will do Down Under. Hopefully Rohit Sharma and his troops will get a special inspiration to bring back the T20 World Cup Trophy that has eluded India ever since they won it in the inaugural edition in 2007!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

SIDDHAARTH MAHAN  The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry