The Women’s T20 Challenge or popularly known as Women’s IPL churned out an enthralling competition in Dubai this year. With only three teams in contention for the title, we could wish – if only there were more teams. Despite being a mini-event, the women proved they are no less than the men in putting up a stunning show.
Locking horns against two-time champions Supernovas, the Trailblazers restricted them in a low scoring game riding on their bowling and fielding efforts. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side fell 16 runs short of the target as Smriti Mandhana and Co got their name chiseled on the trophy.
Here are the five talking points of the final match:
- Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur stayed true to their potential: The Indian T20 vice-captain and the T20 captain proved their worth with a stellar batting performance. Smriti struck a rapid 68 of 49 balls to anchor her team to a defendable total. They were well on their course to post a mammoth total; however, Supernovas did a great job in restricting them. On the other hand, Harmanpreet’s 30 off 36 ended up for a lost cause. The Supernovas skipper continued to bat after sustaining an injury but was eventually bowled out before she could do much damage.
- Spinners Radha Yadav and Salma Khatun won the show with their bowling: Supernovas’ Radha became the first woman to register a fifer in a T20 match as she returned with the figures of 5/16. Her spell proved crucial in restricting Smriti and Co to a low total. Trailblazers’ Salma bagged quick 3/18 which eventually led the Women in Pink to victory. Her prized possession was that of the Supernovas skipper Harmanpreet.
- Amazing fielding effort from both sides: In a stellar game of cricket, the fielders prevailed with their stellar effort on the field. Among the lot, Thailand’s Natthakan Chantham stunned the cricketing world with her fielding. Her fielding roped in praise from the cricketing greats and scribes.
- High hopes for women’s cricket: Smriti Mandhana signed off her post-match interview by hoping that the women cricketers would get an opportunity soon to display their talent on the cricketing field again. “Even last year we had a great time playing the Women’s T20 challenge and this time, especially not playing any cricket for 7 months, so we all were looking to play some cricket, come together and meet everyone. Hopefully, we keep playing cricket as it keeps all of us happy,” she said.
- The BCCI President assured there will be more teams included: In an interview with India Today, BCCI president Sourav said, “Women’s cricket all around the world has taken off. You see the women’s T20 World Cup final in Australia this year. They had 80,000 people at the MCG which is as good as having a men’s final and India has done well where two back-to-back finals in England they lost and they lost at the MCG this year, so it’s very important that we continue with the talent, it’ll only get bigger. At the present moment, there are only three teams in the women’s IPL and I believe that in a couple of years’ times we will be good enough to have a separate IPL with seven teams, eight teams like the franchise-based teams for the women as well,”
