WATCH: Radha Yadav Takes Stunning Diving Catch to Dismiss Sri Lankan Batter Vishmi Gunaratne For a Duck in T20 World Cup

Radha Yadav took a stunning catch as Renuka Singh Thakur got the wicket of Vishmi Gunarathne on the second ball of the innings in match number 12 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 between India and Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Renuka bowled it on a length and around off as Vishmi Gunarathne looked to slog it on leg. She got an outside edge as the ball swirled in the dark sky above Radha Yadav at point. But the substitute fielder had her eyes set on the ball and took a stunning catch.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: India vs Sri Lanka – Live

WATCH:

Earlier, Smriti Mandhana was back to her sublime best before skipper Harmanpreet Kaur flexed her muscles to fire India to 172/3.

The 98-run stand between Shafali (43 off 40) and Smriti (50 off 38) set the tone for the innings after India opted to bat at the Dubai International Stadium. Harmanpreet (52 not out off 27) then got welcome runs in the death overs to push India past 170, the highest total of the competition thus far.

Smriti, who had struggled in the tournament up till now due to the slow nature of pitches, found it tough initially before getting into the groove.

Shafali coming up with regular boundaries at the other end helped Smriti settle down.

While the southpaw could not put away off-spinner Inoshi Priyadharshani, she deposited left-arm spinner Sugandika Kumari down the ground for her first boundary.

A little later, Smriti stepped out to another left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera to smash India’s first six of the tournament, highlighting the team’s serious struggles in the power-hitting department.

Shafali on the other hand began well before slowing down. Her aggressive play in the powerplay took India to 41 for no loss.

Both openers were dismissed off successive balls in the 13th over, bringing Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet into the middle.

Harmanpreet, whose consistency has been questioned time and time again, showed that she remains India’s most belligerent batter. She looked in business ever since she slog swept Kumari for six in the cow corner region in the 15th over.

Her whirlwind knock comprised eight boundaries including two straight hits off Udeshika Prabhodani in the final over.

(With inputs from Agencies)