The three-match ODI series between India Women and West Indies Women begins today in Vadodara. The Windies lost the T20I series 2-1 and are now aiming for a strong start in the 50-over format. Deandra Dottin will play a crucial role in their efforts. Despite the team’s struggles, Dottin stood out in the T20I series with her all-round performance.
With the bat, she scored 77 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 171.11. She also took four wickets in three innings. In the recent Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 mini-auction held in Bengaluru, Gujarat Giants signed her for a whopping Rs 1.70 crore.
Ahead of the ODI series, Dottin spoke exclusively to RevSportz. She shared her thoughts on the importance of the series, the lessons from the T20I games, her excitement about joining the WPL, and much more.
Q: What went wrong in the T20I series despite the comeback in the second game?
Dottin: I think our bowling. When we got hit for one boundary, we started to bowl a couple of bad balls. I do not think our feeling was up to par. In the second innings, that is what we saw with India. They fielded better than us and I think that is what actually made the big difference.
Q: How crucial is this ODI series considering the next ODI World Cup is in India in less than one year and currently WI are kind of outside the automatic spots?
Dottin: I think this ODI series is very important. We at least want to win two games whereas we know that it is going to be tough. They are not going to sit down and just give us the game. We are going to have to play some good cricket but it is really important.
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Q: Words on Hayley Matthews as a skipper, what traits of her impress you?
Dottin: I think her leadership. Putting her hands up and leading from the front as captain. Her personality, her sense of humour along with her belief in wanting to always win. She always reminds me of me when I was younger. I think she has a really good future in West Indies cricket and also as a captain. I see her actually captaining for a couple more years to be honest. It is always good to play alongside her and actually under her as a senior player when she is the captain.
Q: We all know your power-hitting skills and know you are doing the job with the ball as well. Death overs, in the middle, or where do you prefer to bowl?
Dottin: I can actually bowl wherever, whenever. I mostly bowl in the death overs and I bowl some crucial overs as well. It really does not matter to me. It is what is important to me at the time and what is best for the team.
Q: Any word on Richa Ghosh’s knock in the last game and Smriti Mandhana’s consistency?
Dottin: To be honest, they are really good players. They are actually a force to reckon with when it comes to when you are playing against them and they are actually in the nick or they actually get into the game. Those are actually players that you need to get early wickets from. But like I said, it is not going to be an easy game. We have to work hard and we have to be smart as well.
Q: A word on getting picked by the Gujarat Giants for WPL 2025. How excited are you?
Dottin: I am really excited. I do not want to get too excited. It is really good to be a part of the Gujarat team in the WPL 2025. I am just looking forward to playing good cricket and hopefully, getting them across the line to win the trophy next year.
Also Read: Hayley storm blows away India in Second Women’s T20I