ICC World T20 2016: All-round performance gives Indian Women a 72-run win over Bangladesh

Mithali Raj led from the front as she helped India post 163

In the first match of the 2016 ICC World Women's T20, the hosts India took on Bangladesh at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. With only England and Australia having won the previous four Women's World T20s, India came into the game looking to start the tournament on a good note.

After winning the toss, Bangladesh Women chose to field. The Chinnaswamy track is usually a flat one and the Indian openers made full use of the powerplay as they piled on 51 runs in the first 6 overs.

Captain Mithali Raj played the anchor role while fellow opener Vellaswamy Vanitha took on the opening bowlers and scored 38 off 24 balls, hitting seven fours. Vanitha went for one too many shots and was clean bowled by Nahida Akhter.

Smriti Mandhana, who had a great series against Australia, failed to show her talents as she was dismissed for a duck. Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy put in a partnership of 41 runs in 4 overs to help increase the run rate for the Indian Women.

Kaur scored 40 off 29 while Krishnamurthy scored an unbeaten 36 off 24 balls to help India reach 163 in 20 overs. Fahima Khatun and Rumana Ahmed picked up two wickets each while Nahida Akhter picked up one wicket.

In reply, Bangladesh never looked like chasing down India's highest T20I total as they struggled to get the ball away on a regular basis. Only one batsman crossed a strike rate of 100, proving the Indian bowling line-up's efficient performance.

Wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana scored an unbeaten 27 off 25 balls while opener Sharmin Akhter was the second highest top scorer for Bangladesh with a 27-ball 21.

Anuja Patil and Poonam Yadav picked up two wickets each for India as the bowlers helped the hosts restrict Bangladesh 91 in 20 overs, starting off their World T20 campaign winning by 72 runs.

Brief Scores: India Women 163/5, 20 overs (Mithali Raj 42, Harmanpreet Kaur 40; Khatun 2/31) beat Bangladesh Women 91/5, 20 overs (Sultana 27*; Anuja Patil 2/16, Poonam Yadav 2/17) by 72 runs.