Rain Ruins India’s Win Over Bangladesh

News Desk 

Mumbai: Unseasonal rain had the final say in Mumbai on Saturday, forcing the abandonment of the last group-stage match of the Women’s World Cup between India and Bangladesh — a game India appeared set to win comfortably before the heavens opened once again.

After multiple interruptions and a series of revised targets, the match was finally called off late in the evening with India well-placed at 57 for no loss in the ninth over, chasing a target of 126 in 27 overs. The no-result allowed Bangladesh to gain a point, pushing them above Pakistan into seventh place on the net run rate.

India’s preparations for Thursday’s semi-final against Australia, however, suffered a potential blow when opener Pratika Rawal sustained an injury to her knee and ankle while fielding. She was unable to open the innings and is now under medical observation ahead of the knockout fixture. In her absence, Amanjot Kaur stepped in alongside Smriti Mandhana to begin the chase.

Before the rain chaos, India’s left-arm spin duo — Radha Yadav and Shree Charani — dominated proceedings, sharing five wickets between them to restrict Bangladesh to 119 for 9 in 27 overs. Playing her first match of the tournament, Radha impressed with figures of 3 for 30, while Charani provided crucial breakthroughs with 2 for 23.

Bangladesh’s innings never quite took off. They lost Sumaiya Akter early to a sharp inswinging yorker from Renuka Singh, and despite some resistance from Sobhana Mostary (26 off 21) and Sharmin Akhter, the side crumbled from 91 for 3 to 117 for 9. Fielding lapses and wet conditions made life difficult for both teams, but India’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout.

When India began their chase, Mandhana looked in fine touch, scoring briskly and using her feet well against the spinners. Amanjot Kaur complemented her with controlled stroke play before rain halted proceedings for the final time, preventing the completion of the minimum 20 overs required to constitute a result.

With heavy rain forecast for the rest of the week in Mumbai, concerns are mounting about the weather’s potential impact on the upcoming semi-final against Australia — but for India, the immediate worry remains Rawal’s fitness.