Both teams will face South Africa in their respective semi-final clashes
NEW DELHI, Jan 17: The Indian women’s team produced a clinical performance to crush Bangladesh by a huge margin of 109-16 and book their spot in the semifinals of the Kho Kho World Cup here on Friday.
Led by captain Priyanka Ingle, India dominated the contest throughout all four turns, including an impressive dream run in turn 2 that lasted over five minutes and continued to record 100 or more points for the fifth time in a row.
India were dominant from the beginning of the quarterfinal against Bangladesh, hitting a half-century of points courtesy Nasreen Shaikh and Priyanka in turn 1 as their points soared past the mark of 50.At the end of turn 2, the Bangladesh managed only four simple touches as the score read 56-8 with two more turns remaining in the game.
There was no change in the course of the game as India did not allow Bangladesh to settle into the contest. A sky dive from Reshma Rathod brought up their fifth-straight 100 points in the tournament and at the end of turn 3 the score read 106-8.India eventually won 109-16 at the end of turn 4.Indian men’s team dismantled Sri Lanka 100-40 to secure their place in the semi-finals on Friday. The attacking onslaught would only continue, as the Waikar-led Indians would relentlessly chase down the Lankans, diving their way to the lead and finishing Turn 1 with a staggering lead of 58-0. Despite Sri Lanka’s best efforts, the visitors would struggle to match the intensity of the Indian defenders as Turn 2 would end on a sombre note with the scores 58-18 as India retained a monster lead of 40 points. But the job was far from over for India, who would continue to pile on the points in unforgiving fashion, running out six whole batches of defenders to notch a seemingly decisive 100-18 lead by the end of Trun 3. With the finish line in sight, all India needed was to merely run the clock out in a similar fashion to their initial Turn, something that would be achieved without much resistance from the Lankans. In a Turn that showcased their superior skill and agility, India sublimely dodged the Lankan attackers and ultimately punched their ticket to the semis. (Agencies)