India Women started the three-match T20I series with a convincing win against the West Indies at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues shone with the bat, while Titas Sadhu’s three-wicket haul played a key role in their commanding 49-run victory. After a poor series against Australia, they got back to winning ways.
Windies skipper Hayley Matthews won the toss and chose to bowl first. Interestingly, India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur had also expressed her preference to bowl first if the toss had gone in her favour. Harmanpreet confirmed that Saima Thakor was handed her T20I debut cap. With Shafali Verma not selected for this series, all eyes were on Smriti’s opening partner, which turned out to be Uma Chetry.
Chetry entered the series in fine form, having smashed two fifties and a century in the Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy. Her confidence showed in her 24-run innings off 26 balls. She hit some brilliant boundaries and helped India reach 50 runs before being dismissed in the third ball of the seventh over. Karishma Ramharack bowled a beauty to bamboozle her.
At No. 3, Jemimah came in and started briskly. Alongside Smriti, she built an 81-run partnership for the second wicket. Smriti was in superb form, hitting seven fours and two sixes before falling to Karishma on 54 runs off just 33 balls. Many expected Harmanpreet to come in next, but it was wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh who walked out.
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Richa wasted no time, attacking from the start. Her aggressive approach showed India’s intent to capitalise on the solid foundation laid earlier. She played a quickfire cameo of 20 runs from 14 balls before miscuing a full-toss and getting caught. Meanwhile, Jemimah continued her fireworks, batting with a remarkable strike-rate of 208.57. Her 73-run knock off 35 balls included shots all around the park. Harmanpreet chipped in with 13 runs, and India posted a strong total of 195/4 in 20 overs. For the Windies, Karishma Ramharack impressed with two wickets, while Deandra Dottin picked up one.
India’s bowlers made a dream start to the defence. Titas struck in her first over, dismissing Hayley Matthews for just one run. Substitute fielder Minnu Mani showcased excellent athleticism, running back diagonally and diving to complete a stunning catch. Shemaine Campbelle came in next and added 13 runs, but it was Qiana Joseph who stood out with her power-hitting. She scored an impressive 49 off 33 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. Dottin played a brilliant knock, reaching her fifty in just 26 balls, but she was eventually dismissed by Titas. Dottin could not capitalise on the two lifelines she was given, as Jemimah and Smriti dropped two easy catches.
The Windies finished on 146/7, falling short by 49 runs. For India, Titas was the standout bowler, claiming three wickets. Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav also contributed with two wickets each. With this win, India took a 1-0 lead in the series, and Jemimah was awarded the Player-of-the-Match for her sensational knock.
Brief Scores: India W 195/4 in 20 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 73, Karishma Ramharack 18/2 in four overs) defeat West Indies W 146/7 in 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 52, Titas Sadhu 37/3 in four overs) by 49 runs
Also Read: India Aim to End T20 Gloom Against Resurgent West Indies in Navi Mumbai