Radha Yadav (24/03) powered past Bangladesh’s opener after Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten 28 off 17 balls set up India’s 21-run victory in the fifth T20I and a 5-0 series sweep in Sylhet, Bangladesh, in Thursday. Chasing a massive target of 157 runs, Bangladesh started promisingly but collapsed against left-arm spinner Yadav. Despite a rearguard from Ritu Moni (37, 33b, 4×4) and Shorifa Khatun (28 not out, 21b, 3x4s), the hosts finished on 136 for six in 20 overs. All-rounders Moni and Shorifa put up a resolute 57-run stand for the sixth wicket to lead the fightback and put India under pressure, but the visitors eventually prevailed.
The stand between Moni and Khatun was also Bangladesh’s highest for sixth wicket in WT20Is, breaking the 32 between Sanjida Islam and Nigar Sultana.
It was leg-spinner Asha Sobhana (2/25) who broke the resilient partnership, clearing Moni in the 17th over to close the door on the home team.
Bangladesh were left reeling at 52 for five midway through the game, but Moni and Shorifa rekindled their hopes, taking every opportunity to score boundaries and deftly rotating the attack.
Yadav made his first impression of the game with an athletic catch to get rid of Titas Sadhu’s Sobhana Mostary (13). Mostary hit three fours from Pooja Vastrakar’s first over to put her side on the right track during the chase.
After catching Dilara Akter (4), caught at mid-off by Vastrakar for her first breakthrough off the first ball, Yadav cleaned up Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana (7) and edged Rubya Haider (20) in front of the stumps for two wickets in the ninth to disturb the hosts.
Earlier, Ghosh hit useful short innings with three fours and a six to take India to 156 for five, providing a much-needed boost after the visitors stumbled with a flurry of wickets.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur (30), Dayalan Hemalatha (37) and S Sajana (1) fell in quick succession, which allowed Bangladesh to halt the progress of India, who were aiming for a big score.
Harmanpreet and Hemalatha put on 60 runs for the third wicket for a solid foundation.
India’s 156 for five was the highest total of the series by any team, with Smriti Mandhana setting the tone from the start, hitting four fours and a six to make a fluent 33 off 25 balls.
Yadav finished as the highest wicket-taker of the series with 10 dismissals in five games, while Mandhana’s 116 runs in five matches were the most by any batsman.
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