Pooja Vastrakar’s superb performance with the ball helped India secure a spot in the final of the Asian Games women’s cricket competition. Vastrakar, who initially wasn’t part of the traveling squad, came into the team when Anjali Sarvani got injured. In the semi-final against Bangladesh, Vastrakar bowled brilliantly, picking up career-best T20I figures of 4 for 17, which helped restrict Bangladesh to just 51 runs.
She made an impact with the new ball, swinging it both ways and picking up two wickets in her first over. Her early strikes set Bangladesh on the back foot. Although she missed a catchable chance in her second over, she came back strong and continued to trouble the Bangladesh batters. Her tight lines and lengths made shot-making difficult, and she picked up wickets at regular intervals.
Vastrakar’s performance, along with some poor shot selection and running between the wickets by the Bangladesh team, led to their downfall. India chased down the target comfortably with 70 balls to spare, with Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues contributing to the successful run chase.
India will now face Sri Lanka in the final of the Asian Games women’s cricket competition, with the return of their regular captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, after her suspension.