India batting star Smriti Mandhana was gifted a special Buddha statue by the Nepal cricket team after their game in Dambulla on Tuesday. Smriti believes in pictures and Nepal players after 82 wins.
Nepal’s President Indu Barma made a heartwarming gesture after the 2024 Asian Women’s Cup match against India, presenting a special statue of Buddha to President Smriti Mandhana. During a post-match presentation ceremony in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday, July 23, they presented Smriti Mandhana with the ‘Token of Love’.
India beat Nepal in a one-sided encounter in their final Group A match. This secured their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asian Cup. Even though the pitch was intense, the Indian and Nepalese players kept their composure. Smriti Mandhana and Indu Barma posed for a photo with the former presenting a special gift from the Nepal cricket team.
Soon after the match, the young players of the Nepal cricket team did not miss the opportunity to take a picture with Smriti Mandhana. Each player who asked to be photographed with the Indian batting star had their request fulfilled as he took the time to pose with them.
India Sweeps Group Stage in Women’s Asia Cup, Eyes Semifinals
India completed the group stage of the Women’s Asia Cup in style, winning all three matches. After defeating Pakistan in the first match of the tournament, India defeated UAE and Nepal.
Smriti Mandhana led the team against Nepal while Harmanpreet Kaur was rested for the match. India was in a position to test their bowling order as skipper Smriti decided not to open the bat.
Shafali Verma made it special by scoring 81 off just 48 balls, hitting 12 boundaries and sixes. He limited the opening innings to 122 runs off 84 balls with Dayalan Hemalatha, who made 47 off 42 balls.
Jemimah Rodrigues, batting at No. 4, scored a 15-ball 28 as India posted 178 for 3 on the board. In reply, Nepal managed just 96 for 9 in their 20th over. Only four of their batters reached double figures as the Indians spun the web around them. Deepti Sharma continued her good form in the Asian tournament. Bagging three more wickets while Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy chipped in with 2 wickets each.
India and Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals from Group A. While Pakistan may face Sri Lanka in the semi-finals, India may face either Bangladesh or Thailand on Friday.
