Richa Ghosh took center stage as the Indian women's team continued their impressive Asia Cup streak. By crushing the UAE by 78 runs in Dambulla on Sunday, India comfortably booked their ticket to the semi-finals. The UAE batters were overwhelmed by a target of 202, facing a disciplined Indian bowling unit that took wickets regularly. The only bright spots for the UAE were the efforts of captain Esha Oza and Kavisha Egodage, who scored 38 and 40*.
Richa Ghosh stole the limelight as the Women in Blue continued their emphatic run in the Asia Cup. Indian women guaranteed themselves a semi-final spot, thrashing the UAE women by a massive 78-run margin in Dambulla on Sunday. Chasing a big 202, UAE batters never found themselves in the game as Indian bowlers troubled them right from the start, taking wickets at regular intervals. UAE captain Esha Oza and Kavisha Egodage played crucial knocks of 38 and 40* to remember.
India opened the batting with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, who started fast before Egodage dismissed Mandhana for 13 with a superb ball. Verma looked dangerous while attacking but was eventually removed for 37 by Samaira Dharnidharka. Meanwhile, Dayalan Hemalatha let down the fans and selectors with another low score of just 2. The innings regained its composure thanks to a 54-run stand between Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues.
While Rodrigues fell for 14, Harmanpreet Kaur played a masterful anchoring role, leading the scoring with 66 runs. However, it was Richa Ghosh who truly dazzled, making history as the first wicket-keeper batter to hit a half-century in the Women’s Asia Cup. Her explosive right-handed batting featured 12 boundaries and a massive six. Ghosh's unbeaten 64 off just 29 balls pushed India to a historic 201/5, marking the first time the team has crossed the 200-run mark in a T20I.
The UAE's response was sluggish, as the Indian bowlers kept the pressure high and took wickets in quick succession, leaving them 36/3 after 7.3 overs. Oza and Egodage attempted a recovery with a 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but Tanuja Kanwar halted their progress by dismissing Oza. After that breakthrough, India tightened the screws, preventing any free scoring and cruising to an inevitable win.