Ritu moni

Renuka Singh Thakur: A blistering 91-run opening stand between Shafali Verma (51) and Smriti Mandhana (47) powered India to a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the third women's T20I to take an unassailable 3-0 series lead in the five-match series, here on Thursday.

Electing to bowl first, Radha Yadav (2/22), led a clinical Indian bowling show to keep Bangladesh to a below-par 117/8, with Renuka Singh Thakur, Pooja Vastrakar and Shreyanka Patil taking a wicket each. In reply, Shafali 51 off 38 balls, along with Smriti’s 42-ball 47 ensured India completed the chase with nine balls to spare.

Chasing 118, Smriti began with a glance for four off Marufa Akter, while Shafali brought out a lofted drive against Fariha Trisna for a boundary. After taking a four each off Marufa, Shafali was at her powerful best in taking three fours off Shorifa Khatun and gave the same treatment to Nahida Akter in the last over of power-play, which India finished with 59/0.