Bangkok: The India A women’s cricket team, led by Radha Yadav, produced a commanding all-round display to defeat Bangladesh A women’s cricket team by 46 runs in the final of the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in Bangkok on Sunday.
With the comprehensive victory, India A capped off a dominant campaign and lifted the coveted Rising Stars title, underlining the strength and depth in the country’s emerging women’s cricket talent pool.
Tejal, Radha power India A to 134/7
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, India A posted a competitive total of 134/7 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was built around a composed and mature knock from Tejal Hasabnis, who remained unbeaten on 51. Her innings was marked by intelligent strike rotation and timely boundaries, ensuring that India maintained a steady run rate despite losing wickets at intervals.
Captain Radha Yadav played a crucial supporting role, scoring a vital 36 runs. The left-hander mixed caution with aggression, stabilising the innings during the middle overs and forming an important partnership with Hasabnis. Their stand laid the foundation for a defendable total on what appeared to be a slightly slow surface.
The rest of the batting unit contributed in smaller but significant ways, nudging the total past the 130-run mark. Though India A lost a few wickets towards the death overs, the platform set by Hasabnis and Radha ensured they had a competitive score to defend in a high-pressure final.
Bangladesh A falter in chase
Chasing a target of 135, Bangladesh A struggled from the outset. The Indian bowlers struck early, denying the opposition any opportunity to build momentum in the powerplay.
Regular wickets dented Bangladesh A’s hopes, and the batting side found it difficult to stitch together meaningful partnerships. The required run rate gradually climbed, adding pressure to an already faltering innings.
Ultimately, Bangladesh A were bowled out for 88 runs in 19.1 overs, falling 46 runs short of the target. Their innings lacked fluency, with batters frequently attempting risky strokes to accelerate the scoring, only to lose their wickets in the process.
Bowlers deliver clinical performance
India A’s bowling unit delivered a disciplined and incisive performance in the final. Prema Rawat emerged as the standout performer with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 3/12 in her four overs. Her accuracy and control ensured Bangladesh A never settled into their chase.
Sonia Mendhiya and Tanuja Kanwer chipped in with two wickets apiece, maintaining relentless pressure on the opposition. The trio combined effectively to exploit the conditions, mixing pace and spin to great effect.
The fielding effort also complemented the bowling display, with sharp catching and agile ground fielding preventing easy singles and twos. The collective performance ensured that Bangladesh A were kept on the back foot throughout the chase.
A statement campaign
The title triumph marks a significant milestone for India A in the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament. Throughout the competition, the team showcased a balanced combination of steady batting, aggressive intent, and disciplined bowling.
Radha Yadav’s leadership stood out during the campaign. The experienced all-rounder marshalled her resources astutely, rotated her bowlers effectively, and led from the front with both bat and tactical acumen.
Tejal Hasabnis’ unbeaten half-century in the final further highlighted the bench strength in India’s women’s cricket structure. The emergence of players such as Prema Rawat, Sonia Mendhiya and Tanuja Kanwer signals a promising future for the senior national side as well.
Looking ahead
The victory in Bangkok will serve as a confidence booster for the young Indian players aiming to break into the senior team setup. Performances in high-pressure finals often play a crucial role in shaping future careers, and several members of this squad have made a strong case for higher honours.
For Bangladesh A, the final offered valuable exposure and experience, though they will reflect on missed opportunities with the bat.
In the end, India A’s superior execution in both departments proved decisive. The 46-run win not only secured the 2026 Rising Stars crown but also reaffirmed India’s growing dominance in women’s cricket at the developmental level.