IND W vs WI W: IND Takes Lead In T20I Series

In a dominant outing on Sunday, India Women hammered West Indies Women by 49 runs in the first T20I of a three-match series. Fueled by brilliant half-centuries by Jemima Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana, India posted the highest T20 International total against West Indies, challenging the visitors to a big cause. Aided by leg-spinner Titas Sadhu’s brilliance among the bowlers, she restricted West Indies to 146/7 and ensured the home side went 1-0 ahead in the three-match T20I series.

India’s Batting Splendour in IND W vs WI W ,1st T20I

India was asked to bat first after West Indies had won the toss, and the Indian openers quickly created pressure on the West Indian bowlers. Jemima Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana delivered great performances to stabilize the innings. Rodrigues, batting at number three, played one of her finest T20 innings, scoring 73 runs off just 35 balls. She is a lovely combination of strokes and big hitting, hitting nine boundaries and two sixes as she found gaps at will in the field. That was her 12th half-century in T20Is, helping India score 195/4 for their best score in T20Is in IND W vs WI W series.

Fresh from the sensational 105-run knock in India’s last ODI against Australia, Mandhana was in good form. She scored a composed 54 runs off 33 balls, which included two sixes and seven fours. She became the 28th half-centurion she had so far achieved for T20Is marking her sixth of the year. By this innings alone, she crossed 600 T20I runs in the year 2024; thus making her the fourth run-scorer in the women’s T20 international for that year. Rodrigues and Mandhana then scored 81 off 44 for the second wicket. So a good foundation had already been laid for the Indian total.

As India’s top order prospered, West Indies bowlers finally made some inroads as Karishma Ramharack dismissed Mandhana. Ramharack was the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies, conceding 2 wickets for 18 runs from her four overs. Richa Ghosh chipped in with 20 runs from 14 balls, including two fours and a six, before being dismissed by Deandra Dottin, who took a brilliant catch off Mandy Mangroo’s bowling.

West Indies Struggle to Chase, IND W vs WI W

Chasing an overwhelming 196 runs, West Indies opened their innings on a sour note as they lost their skipper and opener Hayley Matthews for just 1 run in the second over. Shemaine Campbell was dismissed soon after going for 13 runs, and West Indies were at 15/2 before which they could not get to recover from the early loss in the game. Joseph anchored it well and was responsible for 49 runs. However, Dottin was the experienced batswoman for the West Indies and remained the highest run scorer for her side by amassing 52 runs.

Still, the partnership that came together didn’t seem to last for very long to challenge India’s total. West Indies, thus, was nowhere close to challenging India. India’s bowlers maintained the pressure, and Titas Sadhu was the star with her bowling, taking 3 wickets for 37 runs. Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav also supported with the ball, taking two wickets each for 21 and 28 runs, respectively. The West Indies could only manage 146/7 in 20 overs, falling 49 runs short.

IND W vs WI W: India’s Bowling Supremacy

India’s bowlers were quite clinical in their approach as Titas Sadhu did most of the talking with her three-wicket haul. Sadhu’s spells really did help break down the West Indies middle-order. Both Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav, with their accurate spells kept the scoring in check. Deepti bowling such disciplined spells that got her the wicket of Shemaine Campbell, while Yadav’s accuracy saw to it that no easy runs were conceded in the middle overs.

The batting of the West Indies was a bit patchy but did not cope with the pressure created by the Indian bowlers. Early wickets fell, and no partnerships were built, and their chase went down the drain. Even a well-played half-century by Dottin could not change the scenario as Indian bowlers and fielders maintained tight discipline throughout the innings.

Key Performances

– Jemima Rodrigues (India): 73 runs off 35 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes
– Smriti Mandhana (India): 54 runs off 33 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes
– Deandra Dottin (West Indies): 52 runs off 43 balls, 5 fours
– Kiana Joseph (West Indies): 49 runs off 40 balls, 5 fours
– Titas Sadhu (India): 3 wickets for 37 runs
– Deepti Sharma (India): 2 wickets for 21 runs
– Radha Yadav (India): 2 wickets for 28 runs

India’s Break Record Total in IND W vs WI W

India achieved their highest-ever T20I score against the West Indies by reaching 195/4. This is their best effort in the shortest format, bettering their previous record of 185/4 at Gros Islet in 2019. Rodrigues and Mandhana were a major highlight of the innings with their partnership adding 81 runs for the second wicket. Aggressive batting by the duo not only set the tone but also put pressure on the West Indies bowlers to make the chase tough for India.

India comprehensively won the game by 49 runs. The game was a complete team effort. The powerful batting display by Rodrigues and Mandhana set up the game, while their bowlers, led by Sadhu, ensured that West Indies were never in the hunt. With this win, India now leads the series 1-0 and will look to extend their dominance in the games ahead.

The West Indies, on the other hand, will have to rethink and improve themselves drastically in order to level the IND W vs WI W series in the next game. India’s all-round show highlighted their strength and depth in both batting and bowling, and they will be chock-full of confidence in closing out the series in the next encounter.

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