Radha Yadav's three wickets and D Hemalatha's 41 not out on her return helped India beat Bangladesh by 19 runs in the rain-affected second T20I in Sylhet. India currently leads the five-match series 2-0.
After India's spin trio of Radha, Shreyanka Patil, and Deepti Sharma dismissed Bangladesh for 119, Hemalatha, who had been absent from the Indian team for one and a half years due to injury, returned to the XI in place of Yastika Bhatia and took the visitors to 47 for 1 in 5.2 overs before the rain break ended the game. India was 19 runs ahead of the DLS par score of 28 when the match was officially called off, and Hemalatha was duly named Player of the Match.
Despite losing Shafali Verma early in the chase, India still had a strong batting line-up. Hemalatha's performance against the new ball was notable, with her 24-ball innings including five fours and two sixes. Smriti Mandhana was unbeaten on 5 off seven deliveries at the other end, while Hemalatha made the most of the opportunity at No. 3.
Bangladesh demonstrated a clear intention to perform well after electing to bat, following a disappointing performance in the first T20I when they were restricted to 101 for 8. However, this did not result in runs being scored. Opener Murshida Khatun scored 46 runs in 49 balls, with five boundaries, but her teammates were unable to contribute.
Despite losing Dilara Akter and Sobhana Mostary in the second and sixth overs, Bangladesh reached 43 for 2 in the power play. India's spinners began to exert pressure after the field restrictions were lifted. In the 10th over, left-arm spinner Radha trapped Nigar Sultana and Fahima Khatun lbw off consecutive deliveries. Patil and Deepti also picked up two wickets each.
Bangladesh was 70 for 5 after 11 overs when the match was halted due to rain for an hour. Once play resumed and the pitch became less responsive, the Indian spinners were able to apply more turn and drift, which proved challenging for the batters.
Ritu Moni, who replaced Shorna Akther in the XI, scored 20 runs in 18 balls and added 32 runs off 31 balls with Murshida for the sixth wicket. The team then proceeded to take Bangladesh past 100, with Deepti returning to bowl Moni in the 16th over. Bangladesh then faltered, going from 101 for 5 to 119 all out.
Radha, in the penultimate over, achieved her third wicket by inducing Rabeya Khan to leave her crease with a flighted delivery, resulting in her stumping. She finished with figures of 3 for 19 in four overs. Pooja Vastrakar then dismissed Fariha Trisna in the final over, resulting in Bangladesh being dismissed for a below-par total.