Women’s World Cup: Rain Washes Out India-Bangladesh Clash, Australia Next

Relentless Mumbai monsoon torpedoed India’s final World Cup league fixture against Bangladesh Sunday, abandoning play at DY Patil Stadium with the hosts cruising at 57-0 chasing a DLS-adjusted 126 in 27 overs. Smriti Mandhana’s classy 34* and debutant opener Amanjot Kaur’s unbeaten 15 offered brief fireworks before the sixth tournament washout—five in Colombo alone—struck, denying Harmanpreet Kaur’s side crucial middle-order batting practice ahead of Thursday’s blockbuster semi-final against seven-time champions Australia.

Stand-in opener Amanjot replaced injured Pratika Rawal, who twisted her ankle fielding and limped off after just three overs. Earlier, India’s spinners dominated a rain-curtailed first innings. Radha Yadav’s 3-30, including a direct-hit run-out of skipper Nigar Sultana, combined with Shree Charra’s twin strikes to bundle Bangladesh for 119-9 in 27 overs. Sharmin Akhter’s gritty 36 and Sobhana Mostary’s 26 off 21 provided fleeting resistance before the left-arm duo dismantled the lower order.

Persistent showers first reduced the contest to 43 overs, then triggered a 134-minute delay before the final truncation. Ground staff’s heroic tarp efforts proved futile as puddles engulfed the outfield. The no-result keeps India second in Group A with 12 points, setting up a Navi Mumbai rematch with Australia—who thrashed them by 6 wickets earlier—while England face South Africa in Wednesday’s Guwahati semi.

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With only net sessions now available before the knockout, bowling coach Troy Cooley confirmed extra throwdowns targeting Australia’s pace battery. Skipper Harmanpreet remained defiant: “Rain can’t dampen our momentum; we’ll peak when it matters.” The November 2 final looms at the same venue—weather gods willing.

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