India's 3 best performers in Women's Asia Cup 2024 ahead of the final vs Sri Lanka ft. Deepti Sharma
India Women will take on Sri Lanka Women in the final of the Women's Asia Cup 2024 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, July 28. This will be a rematch of the 2022 summit clash in which the Women in Blue hammered Sri Lanka by eight wickets.
India have been dominant in the tournament so far. They topped Group A, winning all their three matches by comprehensive margins. In their opening game of the Women's Asia Cup 2024, India beat arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets. They then went on to hammer United Arab Emirates Women (UAE) and Nepal by 78 and 82 runs, respectively.
India Women also proved too good for Bangladesh Women in the first semifinal of the Women's Asia Cup 2024. Bowling first after losing the toss, India came up with an excellent effort to restrict the opposition to 80-8 in 20 overs. The openers then gunned down the total in 11 overs.
Ahead of the 2024 Women's Asia Cup final, we take a closer look at India's three best performers in the T20 tournament so far.
#3 Shafali Verma
India's attacking opener Shafali Verma is the team's leading run-scorer heading into the final and the second-leading run-getter in the tournament, behind only Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu. The right-handed batter has scored 184 runs in four innings at an average of 61.33 and a strike rate of 149.59.
Shafali has contributed to each of India's four wins in the Asia Cup. She smacked 40 off 29 in the game against Pakistan, hitting six fours and a six. The opener then slammed 37 off 18 balls against UAE, smashing five fours and a six.
Continuing her impressive form, Shafali clobbered 81 off 48 balls against Nepal, a knock that featured 12 fours and a six. She was the dominant partner in an opening stand of 122 with Dayalan Hemalatha (47 off 42). In the semifinal against Bangladesh, Shafali played second fiddle to Smriti Mandhana (55* off 39), remaining unbeaten on 26 off 28 balls.
#2 Renuka Singh
India Women pacer Renuka Singh has also had an impressive Women's Asia Cup 2024 campaign. In four innings, she has claimed seven wickets at an average of 9.85 and an economy rate of 4.31.
Renuka began her campaign in the tournament by registering figures of 2-14 from four overs in the match against Pakistan. The right-arm pacer kept things extremely tight and was rewarded for her efforts as dismissed Sidra Amin and Iram Javed off the last two balls of her spell.
Against the UAE and Nepal, the 28-year-old played a good supporting role, picking up one wicket each. Renuka was the Player of the Match for her brilliant spell of 3-10 in the semifinal against Bangladesh.
The pacer got India off to a brilliant start in the knockout clash, dismissing Dilara Akter in the first over. She also got the scalps of Ishma Tanjim and Murshida Khatun to reduce Bangladesh to 21-3.
#1 Deepti Sharma
Versatile all-rounder Deepti Sharma is the leading wicket-taker in the 2024 Women's Asia Cup heading into the final of the tournament. In four innings, she has claimed nine wickets at an average of 7.77 and an economy rate of 4.37.
The seasoned off-spinner registered figures of 3-20 in the clash against Pakistan and was named Player of the Match for her brilliant spell. She dismissed Nida Dar, Tuba Hassan, and Nashra Sandhu as Pakistan were bowled out for 108.
The 26-year-old also impressed with figures of 2-23 against the UAE, getting the scalps of Samaira Dharnidharka and Heena Hotchandani. Against Nepal, Deepti again shone with brilliant figures of 3-13 from four overs. She got the wickets of Rubina Chhetry, Kabita Joshi, and Kajal Shrestha.
The Indian all-rounder also excelled in the semifinal of the 2024 Women's Asia Cup against Bangladesh. She conceded only 14 runs in her four overs while getting one wicket. Deepti had Ritu Moni stumped off a tossed-up delivery.