India defeats Bangladesh by 44 runs in first women's T20 match.

On a sunny Sunday in Sylhet, India's women's cricket team took on Bangladesh in the opening T20I match. The Indian team put up a strong performance, thanks to the brilliant bowling of Renuka Singh and Pooja Vastrakar, who took five wickets between them.

After winning the toss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia provided stability in the middle order, but the team fell short of a big total, managing 145 for seven. Despite this, the Indian bowlers were able to defend their score and limit Bangladesh to 101 for 8.

Bangladesh's skipper Nigar Sultana tried to lead her team's chase with a valiant 51 off 48 balls, but she lacked support from her teammates. Renuka Singh was the star of the Indian bowling unit, taking two crucial wickets in her third over and finishing with impressive figures. Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav also made important contributions, while Vastrakar and Shreyanka Patil joined in to dismiss key players from the hosts' side.

Before the bowling heroics, India's opening batter Smriti Mandhana was dismissed early for just nine runs. However, youngster Shafali Verma showed her grit and determination as she scored a quick 31 off 22 balls. Bhatia and Kaur then formed a solid partnership of 45 runs, overcoming the challenges posed by a slow wicket.

Bangladesh's leg-spinner Rabeya Khan was the most successful bowler for the hosts, taking three wickets in her four overs. Mandhana had started off promisingly, hitting consecutive boundaries off Sultan Khatun's bowling. But she was soon dismissed trying to play across the line, which brought a temporary lull in India's scoring rate. Shafali then took charge and hit a massive six off Khatun's bowling, before eventually being dismissed by Khan.

With Kaur joining Bhatia at the crease, India's run-rate picked up and both batters were scoring freely. However, they were both dismissed in quick succession, with Kaur being given out leg-before and Bhatia caught at point by Sultana off Khan's bowling.

Overall, it was a convincing win for the Indian team, led by their captain's smart decision to bat first. This series is an important preparation for the upcoming T20I World Cup in Bangladesh later this year, and India has started off on a positive note.

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