Railways thump Maharashtra despite Mandhana's stellar 84, clinch 10th Senior Women's T20 title

Railways thumped Maharashtra by seven wickets despite Smriti Mandhana's stellar show with the bat as they bagged their 10th Senior Women's T20 title on Wednesday (April).

Batting first, Mandhana clobbered a blistering 84 to help Maharashtra post a competitive 160/4. In reply, Dayalan Hemalatha (65) and Sabbhineni Meghana (52) starred for the Sneh Rana-led side with sublime half-centuries as Raliways made light work of Maharashtra's target with 11 balls to spare.

Left-handed batter Mandhana toyed with the Railways attack as she hammered 11 boundaries and three maximums and forged a 74-run stand with opener Shivali Shinde, who chipped in a 30-run knock.

India’s top opening batter, Smriti Mandhana (84), led from the front when it mattered the most. The southpaw was in the middle of a lean patch, with no significant score credited to her name. However, her class batting was on full display on the grand stage after she had elected to bat first. She stitched a 74-run opening partnership with Shivali Shinde (30), taking on the much-fancied Railways’ bowling.

Mandhana took 56 balls for her 84, with eleven fours and three sixes to her name. Her innings propelled Maharashtra’s score to 160/4 in 20 overs. Swagatika Rath took three wickets, while one went to Sneh Rana.

Notwithstanding Railways’ batting prowess, it was not going to be an easy chase for them. However, Sabbhineni Meghana ensured that Railways were off to a rollicking start. With Nuzhwat Parween struggling at the other end, Meghana took it upon herself to make the best use of the powerplay. 

Parween returned to the pavilion on 10, with the score reading 56/1 at the end of seven overs. Dayalan Hemalatha joined Meghana at the crease, and the latter brought up her fifty soon. Meghana was in supreme touch and sent the ball to the boundary nine times. 

Hemalatha looked determined to get Railways over the line after Meghana fell on 52. She played at a brisk rate, with her 65 coming off 41 balls. Her match-winning innings included nine fours and two sixes.

Maharashtra managed to prise out Hemalatha’s wicket, but it was too late. Anjali Sarvani and the captain, Rana, ensured no further damage to defeat Maharashtra by seven wickets.