Navi Mumbai, Oct 26 (NationPress) Stepping in for Sneh Rana, left-arm spinner Radha Yadav claimed three wickets as India managed to restrict Bangladesh to 119/9 during the rain-affected final group match of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup on Sunday. Radha, one of three players brought into the squad, dismissed Sobhana Mostary, Bangladesh's second-highest scorer with 26 off 21, along with Nahida Akter (3) and Rabeya Khan (3), ensuring India maintained control at the Dr D.Y. Patil Stadium. She concluded her spell with 3-30, while her teammate N. Shree Charani took 2-23, effectively leveraging the weather-affected conditions.

The match faced interruptions due to rain, first delaying the toss by half an hour and later postponing the start for nearly two hours. Once play commenced, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bowl first after winning the toss. The team also introduced Uma Chetry as wicketkeeper-batter, filling in for the injured Richa Ghosh, while Kranti Gaud and Sneh Rana were rested, allowing Amanjot Kaur and Radha to join the playing XI.

After starting at 5 PM with the match reduced to 43 overs per side, India quickly struck gold. Renuka Singh dismissed Sumaiya Akter, who edged a wide delivery to Shree Charani at short third. Bangladesh crawled to 34/1 in the first nine overs but lost their second wicket when Deepti Sharma had Rubya Haider caught by Harleen Deol for 13 off 32 balls.

Heavy rain interrupted play again at 5:55 PM, causing a further delay of approximately two hours. When play resumed at 8:05 PM, Bangladesh returned with 39/2, and the match was further reduced to 27 overs per side.

Despite the conditions, India maintained pressure as Bangladesh struggled to find boundaries for over 50 balls. They lost captain Nigar Sultana Joty, run out for 9 off 24 balls, thanks to a brilliant fielding effort by Radha Yadav.

Sharmin Akhter and Sobhana Mostary attempted to up the scoring rate, with Mostary hitting Deepti for consecutive boundaries and also finding the deep midwicket fence against Radha. India faced a scare when opener Pratika Rawal twisted her ankle while trying to stop a boundary hit by Sharmin Akhter, requiring assistance from the physio.

Radha Yadav soon dismissed Mostary (26, 21 balls, 4x4), catching her out at mid-off, leaving Bangladesh at 94/4 after 22 overs. Shorna Akter was caught attempting a reckless shot off Amanjot Kaur, and Sharmin Akhter was spectacularly caught by substitute Arundhati Reddy off N. Shree Charani for 36 off 53 balls, contributing to a steady fall of wickets.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh 119/9 in 27 overs (Sharmin Akhter 36, Sobhana Mostary 26; Radha Yadav 3-30, N Shree Charani 2-23) faced against India.