Defending champions Mumbai decimate Bengal to retain Senior Women’s T20 Trophy

Mumbai romped to a 10-wicket win as they demolished Bengal in the final of Senior Women’s T20 Trophy on Tuesday at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, to clinch their second-straight title. With that win, Mumbai has become only the second team (after Railways) to bag back-to-back titles.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Bengal were bowled out cheaply for 85 in 20 overs. Star India wicket-keeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who opened the batting for Bengal was dismissed for four, courtesy a brilliant set up by Mumbai speedster Sayali Satghare. In the third over of the innings, Ghosh smashed Satghare for a cracking four, but in the same over the Mumbai girl had the last laugh as she got the better of Ghosh. After being smacked for a four, Satghare banged one short to Ghosh expecting the Bengal batter to run down at her. As expected, Ghosh walked down the pitch and fell prey, handing a sitter to Saima Thakor, who was waiting at mid-on for the easy catch.

Apart from the other opener Dhara Gujjar (26), Hrishita Basu (18), and India seamer Titas Sadhu (17), none of the Bengal batters managed to score in double digits. The Mumbai bowlers kept coming at them and did not allow any sorts of partnerships to build.

After the Sayali and Saima (Thakor) show, it was the spinners who joined the party. Off spinner Jagravi Pawar wreaked havoc with the ball as she claimed three wickets for just 13 runs in her four-over spell. She also finished the tournament as the joint-highest wicket taker (alongside Yamuna Rana from Himachal Pradesh) with 16 wickets from 11 outings. Pawar bowled well in tandem with left arm tweaker Soumya Singh, who scalped two for 11 in her four overs.

Not only did the Mumbai bowlers pull off a fantastic effort, they were well-supported by the fielders, who wore their hearts on their sleeves in the outfield. There were as many as three run outs inflicted by the home team.

In reply, chasing a paltry 86 for a win (Mumbai chased 85 in last year’s final of Senior Women’s T20 Trophy against Uttarakhand), Mumbai’s opening pair in captain Humairaa Kaazi (41 not out) and Vrushali Bhagat (45 not out) made light work of the target. The duo achieved the total at a canter without breaking sweat in 12.3 overs. They hammered 11 fours and a six in total. Kaazi and Bhagat struck a perfect blend of caution and aggression as they punished the loose deliveries and paid respect to the good ones.

Every run scored by Mumbai garnered a loud cheer from friends and family of players as well as the budding cricketers and former India and Mumbai players, who came in large numbers to support the home team. Bengal, on the other hand, led by captain Saika Ishaque looked listless as they had no answers to Kaazi-Bhagat blitz.

The last two seasons for Mumbai have been like a dream. Under the able aegis of coach Sunetra Paranjape, Mumbai women have ruled the roost in domestic T20 competitions. They have done it again! They have earned their second straight Senior Women’s T20 Trophy in style.

Brief Scores: Bengal 86 all out in 20 overs (D Gujjar 26; J Pawar 3/13) lost to Mumbai 86/0 in 12.3 overs (V Bhagat 45*, H Kaazi 41*) by 10 wickets