The Indian women’s team secured the three-match ODI series against the West Indies with a dominant 115-run victory in the second game at Vadodara.
India’s batters were in roaring form, posting their joint-highest total in ODIs. Harleen Deol smashed her maiden century, supported by fifties from Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal and Jemimah Rodrigues. Despite Hayley Matthews’ brilliant century for West Indies, the visitors fell well short, losing with 3.4 overs to spare.
Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and chose to bat, fielding an unchanged XI from the previous game. The opening pair of Smriti and Pratika once again gave India a solid start with a stand of 110 runs. Smriti was dismissed after scoring 53 off 47 balls, following a mix-up that resulted in an unfortunate run-out. Pratika tried to sacrifice her wicket for her senior partner but was caught short. Harleen joined Pratika at the crease, and the duo added 62 for the second wicket.
Pratika, playing her second ODI, looked confident, and scored 76 off 86 balls before falling to a soft dismissal, off the bowling of Zaida James. Skipper Harmanpreet couldnot build on the strong platform, departing for 22.
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The turning point came when Harleen and Jemimah shared a 116-run partnership off just 71 balls. Harleen’s maiden international century was a special moment, particularly after her comeback from a long injury break. She was eventually dismissed for 115. Jemimah reached her half-century in just 34 balls but could not convert it into a bigger score, getting out for 52. In the final overs, Richa Ghosh’s quick-fire 13 off six balls powered India to a record total of 358/5 in 50 overs.
This score was India’s joint-highest in women’s ODIs and the highest ever against the West Indies. For the visitors, four bowlers claimed one wicket each, with Karishma Ramharack being the most economical (4.60).
Chasing 359, West Indies stumbled early, losing three wickets for just 40 runs in 11 overs. Deandra Dottin failed again, leaving the burden on Shemaine Campbelle and skipper Matthews. They put up a 112-run partnership, with Matthews standing tall as she notched her seventh ODI century. However, her innings ended on 106, becoming Pratika’s maiden international wicket. Jemimah’s stunning catch at deep mid-wicket sealed Matthews’ fate.
The rest of the batting collapsed, and West Indies were bowled out for 243 in 46.2 overs. Priya Mishra led India’s bowling with three wickets, while Deepti Sharma, Titas Sadhu, and Pratika claimed two each. With this win, India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Brief scores: India 358/5 in 50 overs (Harleen Deol 115, Afy Fletcher 1/38) beat West Indies 243 in 46.2 overs (Hayley Matthews 106, Priya Mishra 3/49) by 115 runs.
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